This was the first in a series of six autumn beseda entertainments organized by Josef Barák and held between 23/10/1862 and 27/11/1862. News of their arrangement during the autumn of 1862 was first published by the Czech-language newspaper Národní listy 1/8/1862, which reported that leading Prague musical artists would be participating and that the programmes would include choice dance compositions as well artistic works [i.e. art-music]. This preliminary report indicated that admission would be by invitation only; this was perhaps a contributory reason for what turned out to be initially low attendance numbers. The report related: ‘National entertainments [Národní zábavy]. Next autumn six besedas will be arranged, which besides being furnished with dance compositions will also contain tasteful art [music] as well as many participants whose artistic powers are already proven. Only choice dance compositions will be performed.’ The report then related that these entertainments were being arranged and organized by Jos. Barák and that the newspaper would publish programmes and the venue nearer to the time that they were due to take place. Národní listy 22/10/1862 published a notice announcing: ‘National besedas [Národní besedy] 23rd and 30th October, 5th, 12th, 20th and 27th November 1862 all at 7.30. Admission tickets for gentlemen obtained in the national bookshop of Mr Petřík in the New Alley [Nový Alej] nr 117-II. [Signed] Committee.’

The subsequent Národní listy 26/10/1862 review of the first occasion noted that the attendance was, as usual for a first beseda, ‘a little weak’.

An unsigned Dalibor 1/11/1862 review of the first two productions in this beseda series reported that the occasions ‘gained favourable success’, and that the ‘attendance was especially numerous at the second beseda.’ Scant detail of the programme was related by the review, which noted that following the musical items and spoken declamations there were ‘lively and unrestrained’ dances. In this first beseda Dalibor noted that the programme included ‘two choruses by Slavík, songs, performances from Miss Hřímalá and declamations by Miss Libická.’

The Czech-language periodical Lumír 23/10/1862 reported that ‘Today will be in the Konvikt Hall a national beseda [Národní beseda]; others will follow on 30th October, 5th, 12th, 20th and 27th November.’ An unsigned review followed in the periodical on 30/10/1862, relating that the ‘Interesting national besedas, arranged by Mr Barák, began in the Konvikt Hall on 23rd October. Firstly Hlahol performed successfully the chorus Má otčina [My native country] by Slavík, after which Miss Libická declaimed Dobrá rada [Good advice] with her customary feeling, for which she was greeted with copious applause. No less appreciated was the folksong of [performed by] Mr Polák. Miss Božena Svobodová played skilfully on the piano a Fantasie on Czech folksongs , after which she was twice curtain-called. Miss Hřímalá then very successful performed some folksongs, Miss Švarcová similarly [performed some folksongs], and they received universal applause. To conclude the chorus by Slavík Hasme, hoří! [Let’s put out the fire!]was very proficiently performed. The attendance was quite numerous - ladies in particular were present in number. The ever-youthful Mr Purkyně honoured the beseda with his attendance. We hope that the next besedas will have a still larger audience of the Prague public, for really few such entertainments could compare with this one. To finish there was a dance entertainment.’

None of the German-language newspapers Bohemia, Prager Morgenpost and Prager Zeitung reported upon or reviewed this event.

The programme order of the event record corresponds to that of the description of the event by Lumír 30/10/1862.