• Orchestra of the Prague Civil Sharpshooters Corps: participating orchestra

Prager Morgenpost 16/2/1862 reported that ‘The musical trial for the Czech Law Students’ Ball is today at 3.30pm in the Žofín Island Hall.’ Prager Morgenpost did not review this event. Bohemia 14/2/1862 published news that a second Ball would be give for University students this year and that it would be for ‘Czech Law Students’. The committee for the ball was hoping that the event would be as brilliant an occasion as previous Law Student events. A musical trial would be given on 16th February and the Ball itself would take place on 24th February. The source reported that many of the dances had been specially composed for the event. The Tageskalender of Bohemia 16/2/1862 reported that ‘4pm in the Žofín Island Hall musical trial for the Czech Law Students. Music by the Civil Sharpshooters.’ The latter referred to the orchestra of the Prague Civil Sharpshooters. Although the director of the ensemble for this event was not identified, it was most likely the then Kapellmeister of that orchestra, Karel Komzák.

Lumír 13/2/1862 reported the date of the Ball for Czech law students but did not mention the earlier musical trial. A week later, on 20/2/1862 the periodical reported the ‘„Ples českých právníku“ [Ball for Czech Law Students] will be, as we previously communicated, will take place on 24th February on Žofín. The musical trial to it happened on Sunday [16th], there gathered a very numerous company from the more refined circles, and it turned out to be splendid in both the novelty and excellence of the musical works. From the excellent preparation rendered by the industrious and circumspect [ball] commitee, it is possible to judge that the ball as to taste, refinement and „elegance“ entirely equalled the former “Juristenballu”, and more so that the class of civil admission also made the entertainment still more effortless [nenucené - effortless/easy/casual] than the Juristenballs. The compositions which obtained the greates applause were by Strauss of Vienna (his excellent Furiosa), and by native composer Messrs Hruše, Count Tiegl z Lindenkronu and by Komzák. We hope that this first ball for Czech Law Students will gain a numerous audience... and that it will not be the last.’ This Lumír report thus makes clear that this event marked a departure from previous annual Law Students’ Balls in being tailored to Czech students and to Czech society.

The programme is listed here in performance order according to the Národní listy 16/2/1862 report. The Dalibor reiew noted that ‘all of the compositions were new and were precisely performed by the orchestra of Mr Komzák.’