Cosima's Diaries

Diary Entry of June 24, 1881

Overview

Midsummer's Day brings a somber mood as Cosima sees off her daughter Daniela and learns of the death of their servant Rausch, leaving her tearful even while hosting aristocratic visitors. Despite her grief, she manages social obligations and weathers a thunderstorm before a short, exhausted evening. Wagner finds solace in Mozart's "Lacrimosa," which becomes a tender, elegiac moment shared between them.

Content

Friday, June 24:

Midsummer's Day. Up very early, listened to the birds, great melancholy. Departure of Daniela, who is going to see her father in Weimar. Then to the hospital on account of our good Rausch, who died last night.

Home again, many tears. R. told Lusch above all to remain cheerful. Interrupted by Count and Countess Nako; I show them the sights. R. admires my ability to do such things, but I scarcely hear what the strangers around me are saying. Thunderstorm. A short evening, since my sleepless night left me very tired. R. came across Mozart's Lacrimosa and played it to me; our flowers and ribbons for this year. R. reads to me several things from the Count's book. We go to bed early.