• Prague Men's Singing Society [Prager Männergesangsverein]: participating institution, male vv
• TAUWITZ, Eduard: director of ensemble, conductor

Dalibor 20/9/1859 published news that the ‘local men’s singing society [the Männergesangverein] arranges at the beginning of October in the Konvikt Hall its second musical entertainment, in which quartets and choruses by Kreutzer, Löwe, Marschner, Mendelssohn, Reissiger, Zöllner and the great chorus “Meerestille” by W. Rieffel will be performed. The works on the programme must make each [of us] think that we find ourselves in Germany; for not even one little number is Czech, or by a Czech composer.’

Not only did this report prove inaccurate in implying the entertainment was to take place at the beginning of October - the event actually occurred on 15/10/1859 - but the criticism of the programme content also proved to be misplaced. On 20/10/1859 Dalibor published a review of the event in which the unsigned critic related that the concert ‘got much praise from the numerous audience’ and noted that ‘the choice of works was good.’ Such praise was not however complete, being tempered with the qualification that ‘against the pilgrim chorus from Tannhäuser we would have to object in that it is nothing new for the public.’ The descriptive detail of the review was then biased towards the Czech works; aside from the extract from Tannhäuser, the German choruses listed were only those that were ‘particularly liked’ by the audience, suggesting that the programme also comprised additional unspecified choral items in German. Of the Czech choruses, Emanuel Vašák’s was thought to be most distinguished, and had to be repeated. Of Vilém Blodek’s two choruses, each described by the Dalibor critic as being ‘new’, the ‘first seems to us to be more original; however, both choruses are distinguished by suitable melody and effective voice-leading.’ The performance of the choir ‘was without fault, and testified to the thoroughness of rehearsals and perfect preparation.’

The German daily newspaper Prager Morgenpost on 14/10/1859 published the complete programme details of this second evening entertainment given by the Prager Männergesangverein. The report also related that the Society had in the short time of its existence already gained many members, and that it adopted the prudent policy of choosing to sing works with Czech as well as with German texts. An enjoyable and interesting evening was expected on account of the excellence already demonstrated by the choir in their previous performance. On the following day Prager Zeitung also published news of the performance that same evening, noting that the programme included both Czech and German compositions, among them Mendelssohn’s Wasserfährt and the Pilgrim’s chorus from Tannhäuser.

A review, signed ‘**’ of the concert appeared in Prager Morgenpost 16/10/1859. This related how growing interest in the newly founded Männergesangverein was demonstrated not only by the substantial size of the choir itself, but also from the ‘exceedingly large attendance and distinguished audience.’ Cited too was the attraction of a varied and prudent choice of programme; contrasting with the Dalibor report the newspaper review expressed no particular opinion as to the inclusion of either Czech or German items or the balance between them in terms of the number of works of either language that were performed. The singing by the choir of 40 singers was praised for its ensemble and for being fresh and accurate. In particular the performances of the German choruses by Wagner, Zöllner and Becker were praised. Of the Czech items the reviewer was especially pleased with the ‘humorous’ chorus by Vašák, which as well as the work by Zöllner was encored. The two compositions by Blodek displayed ‘happy invention and agile counterpoint’. Tauwitz was complimented on his untiring and energetic work with the choir, which augured well for the future of the ensemble. At the end of the performance he was recalled to the stage.