• Estates Theatre orchestra: participating orchestra, orch

The Italian Ferni sisters gave four concerts in Prague between 10th February and 16th February 1859. According to news published by Dalibor 10/2/1859 of their first appearance, ‘Today appear in the Estates Theatre the well known violinists Misses Ferni, who were greatly liked in Vienna.’

Advance information of the second of the Ferni’s four concerts was provided by in the regular theatre bills published by the German-language newspapers on the day of the event. The details of the programme provided by these sources were not complete, for example the first item was described only as ‘1. Ouverture.’ However, exact details of all the works performed can be assembled from these theatre texts in conjunction with the subsequent reviews.

The unsigned review published by Dalibor 20/2/1859, which covered all four appearances, generally praised the quality of their performances although the critic subscribed to the opinion that their legendary fame as performers was ‘much greater’ than the reality of their playing. In comparison with other renowned female violin virtuosi, of which the report cited as examples the Czechs Miss B. Brousilová and the Nerudová sisters, the Fernis were thought to be slightly wanting in strength of violin tone. Of the two sisters, Dalibor noted that Karolina drew the more characteristic sound from her instrument, while the performances of Virginie were considered to be more expressive and sympathetic. More specific description of their performances was given only to Karolina Ferni’s rendition of Mendelssohn’s E minor Violin Concerto in their third concert. However, the review concluded with the observation that the sisters ranked among ‘the best virtuosi on their instrument.’