Cosima's Diaries

Diary Entry of October 19, 1881

Overview

Remembering a doctor's remark about curing the author of Lohengrin and Tristan, Richard reflected critically on his earlier operas, satisfied with Lohengrin but still aware of conventional residue in Tannhaeuser. A letter about the Nile journey lifted his mood, and the household was further cheered by lively correspondence from Rome. Best of all, he completed the second act of Parsifal, and the evening passed in buoyant conversation and billiards.

Content

Wednesday, October 19:

He comes back to something I told him yesterday about my father: when he saw the doctor coming to see R., he remarked, "The author of Lohengrin and Tristan will be difficult to cure." As far as Lohengrin is concerned, R. says he is completely satisfied with it, but in Tannhe4user he would criticize some still remaining traces of operatic tradition, which mean that in the duet between Elisabeth and T. the singers have almost to change places. He also still seems to feel a certain discrepancy between the new scene and the work as a whole.

A letter from Herr Schlesinger touching on all aspects of the Nile journey makes R. feel cheerful and eager. At lunch he is in very high spirits. After lunch I receive a very lively letter from my good Lusch in Rome, which greatly entertains R. as well. We drive to the theater via the Eremitage avenue. On returning home, R. completes the second act of Parsifal!

Friend Wolzogen comes, and we spend the evening alternately chatting and, for R., playing billiards. I mention that 26 years have passed since I heard the Tannhe4user Overture for the first time and became engaged.