Cosima Wagner's Diaries: The Management Committee

Friday, January 29, 1875 Richard despondent on account of the hopelessness of Glatz. “I need savages,” Richard says, “not cultivated barbarians.” I write to Baron Normann to inquire about a tenor, Herr Schwab, who has approached us. -- I am now reading [Lessing’s] Nathan der Weise with the children and once more find much of it very moving; the voice of Assad, which rests in Saladin’s soul, moves me particularly--one forgets the voice of the dead, but it can be recalled. Truth, paid out like a coin in the monologue of Nathan, reminds one of the businesslike attitude of the Jews toward their God. Conference regarding a restaurant to be built--one difficulty after another, but Richard is still satisfied with the people on his Management Committee.  In the evening read Gfrorer’s book.

Saturday, January 30, 1875 Richard works on his “Albumblatt” for Frau Betty Schott. Several singers reply to the circular, and in a very friendly way.  But Richard is still not very well, the rash on his three fingers is a great torment to him. In the evening read Gfrorer. Herr Glatz still unwell, little hope for Siegfried! . . . In the evening Gfrorer’s Primitive Christianity, in which a saying of the Jews makes a deep imprint on my mind: “One should pray for a good eye, a humble spirit, and a soul free from desire.”

Sunday, January 31, 1875 A fine winter’s day, the children in church and on the ice, I busy with preparations for the journey. In the evening read Nathan der Weise to the children, and later guests. E-flat Major Quartet and E Major Sonata.