• POHL, A.: director of ensemble

Mercy’s Anzeiger 5/5/1854 published a notice announcing ‘Great orchestra of the Royal Military; afternoons. On the Žofín Island: Tuesday, Friday, Sunday; in Zdekauer’s (formerly Count Canal’s Garden): Sunday, Wednesday, Saturday; in the Estates Arboretum: Sunday and Thursday.’ No further details were given by the source. This was the first occurrence of this notice in Mercy’s Anzeiger during the summer 1854 season. Although the text specified ‘Great orchestra of the Royal Military [Großes Orchester des k.k. Militärs]’, this would not have constituted one single ensemble but signified simply a military ensemble of one of the various regiments that were then present in Prague. Events have been recorded at the venues and on the days specified for the weeks following the first appearance of this notice throughout the summer season.

A brief review of the event on 13th July was published by Mercy’s Anzeiger 15/7/1854. The correspondent reported that ‘The Reunion held on Thursday (13th July) in the salon of the Estate Arboretum certainly did not have such a great gathering of young gentlemen and ladies as the previous [event there], but despite the not very friendly weather there was a numerous representation of elegant ladies and also the dance-loving [tanzlustigen] gentlemen were not kept waiting. The entertainment was very animated. The organization by Mr Pohl was of his customary alacrity.’