• String Orchestra of Komzák: participating orchestra

From 7/10/1858 musical entertainments were given each Sunday at this recently opened venue by Komzák’s String Orchestra. This Music soirée was noted by the Prager Morgenpost 7/11/1858 advertisement as commencing at 4pm, with admission costing ‘10 Nkr’, the ‘N’ signifying the new revalued currency which had come into circulation in the Austrian lands at the beginning of November. Previous productions had an admission price of 6kr. The advertisement also noted that instead of Komsak’s [Komzák’s] String Orchestra performing ‘select and favourite pieces’ there would ‘strikingly’ be given a ‘Violon-Concert’. From later productions for which we have more detailed information this would have constituted a performance of a concertante piece or piece for violin and orchestra, and not only popular dance items and lighter music. The emphasis on ‘striking’ suggests this was new and novel content for this type of musical entertainment being given in a social venue, and reflecting the elevated aesthetic outlook and versatility of Komzák’s ensemble.