Cosima's Diaries

Diary Entry of January 31, 1870

Overview

A cherished Geyer-Wagner cup is broken, and Cosima converts the loss into gratitude that no harm has come to the children. The old Prince visits and speaks movingly of Lusch’s recitation, his childhood, and the long arc of his life. Wagner remains agitated over his sketch and speaks with characteristic self-doubt, minimizing his identity as a composer despite the scale of his ambitions.

Content

Monday, January 31:

Geyer-Wagner cup, which I gave to R., broken this morning by the maid; sorry as I am, I thank God that misfortune strikes in this way, leaving the children unharmed. R. works, I working with the children.

In the afternoon a visit from the old Prince, who tells me he wept with emotion and pleasure when Lusch yesterday recited my poem to him. He speaks of his childhood—he has served under three Bavarian kings—his father a reigning prince, and now he ends up in Lucerne. R. in agitated mood, much in his sketch is not yet as he wants it. “I am no composer,” he says, “I wanted only to learn enough to compose Feubald und Adelaide, and that is how things have remained—it is only the subjects which are different.”