Overview
Cosima Wagner
(1837—1930)
Quick Reference
(b Bellaggio, Lake Como, 1837; d Bayreuth, 1930).
Of Franco‐Hungarian birth, daughter of Liszt and Countess Marie d'Agoult. Went to Ger. and in 1857 married Hans von Bülow, pianist and cond., by whom she had 2 children. First met Richard Wagner in Paris 1853; declared love for each other in Berlin 1863. Went to Munich 1864 to be near Wagner. Daughter, Isolde, born to them 1865. Lived with Wagner at Tribschen, Lucerne, from 1868. Another daughter, Eva, born 1867. Divorced from von Bülow 1869. Son, Siegfried, born to her and Wagner 1869. Married Wagner 1870. Moved with him to Bayreuth 1872 and was active in preparations for 1876 festival. After Wagner's death in 1883, became mus. dir. of Bayreuth Fest., handing over to her son Siegfried in 1908. Became blind 1920. Her diaries, covering years 1869–83, are invaluable source of information on Wagner's life and thought.
Subjects: Music
