• Prague Civil Infantry Corps: participating ensemble

An advertisement was published by Mercy’s Anzeiger 10/1/1857 announcing ‘Invitaton to the dance-reunions which are being arranged by the Royal Warranted Prague Civil Infantry Corps [k.k. priv. Prager bürgerl. Infanterie-Corps] on 22nd, 29th January and 5th, 12th and 17th February 1857 in the Apollo Hall.’ Invited to attend the event were members of the Corps as well as their guests. Subscription to all five reunion events for members of the Corps in uniform with two ladies cost 3 fl, for gentlemen guests with 2 ladies 4fl. The admission cards were issued with the names of the gentlemen attending. Admission tickets were available each of the first four events at 30kr and to the fifth Reunion at 1fl 20kr for members of the Corps in uniform. Gentlemen guests could purchase tickets to the first four Reunions for 40kr and to the last for 1fl 40kr. These tickets were obtainable from the drapers shop of Mr Ed. Ferd. Schmiedt at no.4, Little Square [Malé náměstí / kleiner Ring], or on the evening of each event from the box office of the venue. The advertisement then noted in larger typeface that Children would not be admitted. Subscription tickets to the Reunions could be purchased in the Old Town from Schmiedt [above]; in the tailors and milliners shop of F.C. Stöhr on Bergmannsgasse [Bergmannova ulice]; in the tailors and milliners shop of Leop. A. Roll on Galliplatz [Havelské náměstí]. In the New Town they could be bought from the Office of the Infantry Corps on Nekazalka no.880, third floor. In the Little Quarter they could be obtained from the Restaurant of Messrs Michelsky and Steinitz.

The above advertisement was reprinted in the Mercy’s Anzeiger on 12th, 15th and 20th January 1857. A different advertisment was published by the newspaper on 16/2/1857, simply noting ‘Tomorrow Tuesday Final and Festival-Reunion of the Royal Warranted Prague Civil Infantry Corps in the Apollo Hall. Commencing 8 o’clock.’ No further details were given by this source, which was published again in Mercy’s Anzeiger 17/2/1857.

A brief review of this event was published by Mercy’s Anzeiger 19/2/1857. No mention was made by the correspondent of the musical content of the occasion. The text reported that the event ‘was distinguished by its elegance and by a numerous attendance. On entering the venue the ladies were presented with a portrait of the Emperor and Empress [Franz Joseph and Elisabeth]. Attending were noted to have been the Mayors representative Dr Worowka [Vorovka?], the vice-president of the Chamber of Commerce Mr F. Pstroß [Pstroš] junior, and the major of the Sharpshooters Mr Holly.’