Letters: Wagner to the Wesendonks

I have just started reading Richard Wagner's letters to his muse Mathilda Wesendonk and her husband Otto, 1853-1856. There seems to be a general consensus that Wagner was not a very nice man, but although I have only read the first few letters, I think I am going to like him a lot.

Here is a note from Wagner to Otto Wesendonk on 16 March 1854:

Homer crept out of my library. 

I asked: where are you going? 

He said: to congratulate Otto Wesendonk on his birthday.

I answered: congratulate from me as well!

Richard W.

Cake decorating pizazz

Real fruit ... the raspberry had a little silver no top

If you really care, you can make birthday cakes look pretty fabulous. This one was in La Renaissance at The Rocks (Sydney) where I had a birthday lunch with friends last week.

We didn't buy the cake. Maybe next year.

Celebrating with friends

Richard Wagner Greeting Card

Next year is Richard Wagner's 200th birthday and I have been working on some Wagner-related art for a 2013 exhibition. I also made some Wagner related greeting cards from etchings I made in Dunedin.

Richard Wagner Profile Art Card by elizabethgw

Ninety Years Old

The guests thought ninety was a grand age to be; the birthday girl decided 60 was better and turned the 9 upside down.