Cosima's Diaries

Diary Entry of May 3, 1881

Overview

The morning brings Lilli Lehmann for a discussion about the Flower Maidens, accompanied by light mockery of rival productions being mounted to compete with Wagner's own work. At the rehearsals, Wagner singles out conductor Seidl for warm praise while colorfully describing the tenor playing Mime as a "Jewish dwarf" whose performance is nevertheless excellent. An unauthorized cut by Scaria throws off Vogl and provokes Wagner into a furious outburst, setting off a scene of weeping and recrimination in the corridor, while Seidl alone keeps his composure.

Content

Tuesday, May 3:

R. had a good night. Lilli Lehmann visited in the morning; discussion about the Flower Maidens; joking mention of Herr v. Hülsen’s preparing Tannhäuser here for the evening of Rheingold and the director in Hamburg, Pollini, preparing a cycle. Letters from the children! At 11 o’clock we drive to the rehearsals, R. with Mimi, I with Lusch. First act of Siegfried. Mime, “a Jewish dwarf,” R. says, but excellent; Vogl also very good, clear and assured. But Seidl is greeted by R. as a pearl. He dines with us.

At 6 o’clock Herr Niemann arrives in a mood of enthusiastic excitement, and we drive with him to the rehearsals (2nd and 3rd acts of Siegfried), Scaria overwhelming, in the scene with the cut (dort sehe ich Grund) which throws Vogl off, R. indignant and provoked into a very loud exclamation. Vexation during the rehearsal, at the end much weeping and lamenting in the corridor. Herr Niemann thinks it was all because of Vogl’s gratified expression! . . . Seidl quite composed.