Cosima Wagner April 1871 they decided immediately that they would build their theatre there, and that the town would be their future home. Wagner announced the first Bayreuth Festival for 1873, at which his full "Ring" cycle would be performed. Aware of the honour that such an event would bring to the town, the local council donated a large plot of land—the "Green Hill"—overlooking the town, as a site for the theatre. Since Ludwig had declined to finance the project, the start of building was delayed and the proposed date for the initial festival was deferred. By the spring of 1873 only
Bavarian Army infantry: Bavarian reserve: Bavarian Landwehr: Bavarian Ersatz: Mountain Troops: The Bavarian Army had a smaller proportion of aristocratic officers than the Prussian Army: in 1832 there were 1.86 common officers for every one noble; by 1862 it was 2.34 commoners for every noble and by the outbreak of the First World War 5.66. Since the dissolution in 1826 of the Lifeguard unit, there was no specific Guard regiment. Only in the following units was the proportion of aristocratic officers considerably higher than average: The Bavarian NCO Corps consisted of long-serving and career soldiers, usually recruited from those completing military service.