Cosima's Diaries

Diary Entry of August 11, 1871

Overview

Political uncertainty over the Bavarian king and emperor deepens Wagner's worries, even entering his dreams as financial anxiety over the Nibelungen scores. Cosima links these fears to broader Catholic agitation and to the precariousness of their own fortunes. Social visits and Wagner's irritation over a request for his photograph give way to an evening reading and disturbing confidences from their unhappy guest.

Content

Friday, August 11:

Emperor and King! The latter does not wish to see the former on his journey through Bavaria. What will become of our young master? And consequently of us? R. dreamed that he had his Nibelungen scores offered to the Emperor through Bismarck, and, for the sake of the children, he asked for an advance of 4,000 thalers.

Thus does worry continue to creep like a ghost through his piteous fate. The Catholic movement is assuming greater proportions. In the afternoon a visit from the two countesses; R. is indignant because Countess Ugarte asks him for a photograph. He says, “This is the extent of their interest in us!”

In the evening R. reads aloud his essay on the Overture. Late in the evening R. tells me the confidences our poor guest imparted to him concerning his domestic troubles, which are indeed of a horrible kind.