Cosima's Diaries

Diary Entry of October 1, 1869

Overview

Prince Georg sends another drama, Cosima tends Siegfried, and Richard turns a remark to Fidi into a reflection on wisdom and curiosity. Pasdeloup's gloomy letter about illness and poor business leads to talk of Richard's inability to work in the outside world, where he is misunderstood as merely an opera composer. The possibility of America arises if the King's allowance ends, and Beethoven duets close the uncertain evening.

Content

Friday, October 1:

Letter from Prince Georg, sending another drama by himself. Attending to Siegfried. “But, Fidi,” I say, “you would do better to stay here indoors.” “Yes, there speaks the sage,” R. observes, “but the know-it-all was there before the sage, and he wants to get to know everything the sage so regrets knowing.”

R. is still not very well. In the evening he brings a letter from Pasdeloup which sounds very gloomy. He is ill and business is not good! We discuss how impossible it is for R. to undertake anything outside. The world is closed to him; all his success still rests on the assumption that he is a composer of operas. But he is not that at all, hence the constant misunderstandings.

We discuss the possibility of a journey to America, should the King withdraw his allowance. God knows what the future holds for us. Beethoven quartet as a piano duet.