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(Clara’s mother, whom Wieck had divorced years
earlier, willingly grants her assent); when this is
brusquely refused the only way of solving the situation
is through the courts. Robert initiates this long
process on 16 July, something of a Rubicon. In late
August the couple are able to see each other again at
last. Clara lives in Berlin at this time, and Schumann
visits her there whenever he is able. The first court
appearance scheduled for 31 August is cancelled
due to Wieck’s non appearance—a delaying tactic he
employs more than once. He makes a long deposition,
the first of a series, accusing Schumann of everything
from unreliability to drunkenness and the composer
refutes these allegations with character references of
his own. It is a sordid and protracted business. On
2 October Wieck once more fails to appear before
the court. In November Robert suffers nervous exhaustion
and a swelling of the left arm. Clara and
Robert, as well as Wieck, make a court appearance on
18 December. The verdict of the court is awaited in the
New Year.
ROBERT SCHUMANN in 1839
A lithograph by Joseph Kriehuber
© Robert-Schumann-Haus Zwickau
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