Cosima's Diaries

Diary Entry of October 1, 1871

Overview

The Wesendoncks announce Myrrha's engagement, amusing Wagner because of Cosima's earlier joking matchmaking with nephew Fritz. Wagner composes and writes while Cosima is exhausted by nursery duties to the point of collapse. Malwida Meysenbug's attendance at the Munich Ring performances stings, even as Wagner sends Siegfried to Marie Schleinitz with verses on genius, love, loyalty, and debt.

Content

Sunday, October 1:

Herr and Frau Wesendonck announce the engagement of their daughter Myrrha to a Herr von Bissing, which amuses R., inasmuch as I had jokingly spoken of trying to bring about a marriage between her and our nephew Fritz.

R. composes and writes letters; I am so tired out by the constant nursery activities that R. almost has to carry me up to bed.

Letter from M. Meysenbug, who has seen Rheingold and Walkuere in Munich! R. sends Siegfried to M. Schleinitz with a verse saying: If you call genius the power that brings forth a true work of art, I call love and loyalty the favor with which the world repays its debt.