Cosima's Diaries

Diary Entry of May 4, 1871

Overview

Further visitors and reports of another rehearsal initially make Richard doubt whether the orchestra can bear more work. At the opera house he asks the musicians directly whether they are willing to work seriously, and their unanimous assent allows the rehearsal to proceed. The effort leaves him very tired, and the evening is spent with the Krockows and Eckerts.

Content

Thursday, May 4:

Many visitors, among them Frau Mallinger, who says there has just been a rehearsal of Mignon; great vexation for Richard, who sees at once that he cannot put the orchestra to further exertion.

All the same we drive at 2 o’clock to the opera house, and he asks the musicians whether they are prepared to work seriously with him; if they feel too tired, he would prefer to give up his undertaking. They unanimously declare in favor of the rehearsal.

Great tiredness afterward. In the evening, arrival of the Krockows, with whom we spend the evening; the Eckerts also come.