Cosima's Diaries

Diary Entry of August 23, 1871

Overview

A violent storm strikes Lucerne's Hofkirche, while Cosima continues lessons and Wagner writes Bayreuth letters. Her attempted visits in town are only partly successful, but the minister's wife later joins them for an evening that includes Siegfried and renewed talk of Cosima's father. Wagner's greeting from the shore with a Tristan motif turns her return by boat into an affectionate theatrical moment.

Content

Wednesday, August 23:

Terrible storm; the Hofkirche in Lucerne struck by lightning. Work with the children. R. writes letters in connection with Bayreuth; I go to town intending to pay visits. Our minister’s wife has gone to Brunnen, but she comes along later and spends the evening with us. The third act of Siegfried is gone through, and again much is said about my father.

As I returned home today in a boat, R. was waiting for me on the shore and greeted me with the “merry tune” from Tristan.