Cosima's Diaries

Diary Entry of December 30, 1881

Overview

Though another spasm followed his bath, sunshine and visitors helped turn the day outward as Richard worked, called on the prefect, and drove to the Villa Belmonte. Evening company unexpectedly pleased him: once he joined the salon, he played and arranged music with real hospitality and took satisfaction in the impression made on the ladies. Afterward he praised the guests and even proposed regular evenings at home, as though Palermo society had finally become manageable on his own terms.

Content

Friday, December 30:

R. slept well, but after his bath he has a chest spasm. However, since the sun is shining, he is agreeable to having breakfast in the conservatory. But work costs him some effort, and he longs for it to be completed, saying it is a torment to him, he is afraid of orchestrating too heavily. In fine weather we visit the prefect and then drive to the Villa Belmonte.

In the evening, to our surprise, we receive calls from Prince and Princess Gangi, Countess Mazzarino, her son, and his religious tutor. R. at first disappears, but when he sees that the guests are staying, he soon makes his presence known again with Norma and remains very hospitable throughout the evening; he gets Rub. to play all sorts of things from the Ring, does indeed leave the room, but is pleased, when he returns, with the impression made, particularly on the ladies; he then himself plays the “Bridal Song” from Lohengrin.

When the guests have departed, he speaks in praise of them, particularly the ladies, and tells me I should fix a definite evening for us to be at home to callers. This morning R. recalled the legend of Saint Genevieve and its unique beauty.