Cosima's Diaries

Diary Entry of March 18, 1870

Overview

Cosima struggles to begin the folder while Wagner works and the children’s lessons continue as usual. Duefflipp denies having written to Hans about the divorce, leaving Cosima uncertain where the false report originated. Wagner’s reading on Alexander’s death awakens dramatic ambition and frustration that composing has confined him to the labor of “note-writing.”

Content

Friday, March 18:

I begin the folder with great difficulty. R. works. Letter from Councilor Düfflipp, saying it is not true that he wrote to Hans about the divorce; God knows who is telling lies. Teaching the children as usual. R. is reading about the death of Alexander and would like to write a play about it, “if only I were not a musician! This wretched note-writing—into what category of uneducated people has it pitched me?”