• Society of Musical Artists: organizing institution
• Žofín Academy: participating institution, vv
• Cecilia Society: participating institution, vv, orch
• Prague Men's Singing Society [Prager Männergesangsverein]: participating institution, vv
• Hlahol: participating institution, vv
• Estates Theatre chorus: participating orchestra
• Provisional Theatre orchestra: participating orchestra

Prager Morgenpost 16/12/1854 reported\. ‘Performance of the „Elias“ by Mendelssohn. The Prague Society of Musical Artists will, on 23rd December for the benefit of its Widows- and Orphans-Institute and with the participation of numerous musical and song forces, perform Mendelssohn’s Oratorio „Elias“.  

News of this event was published by Národní listy 17/12/1862, noting that the: ‘Society of Musical Artists will perform with fellow participants the gentlemen and ladies of the Žofín Academy, of the Cecilian Society, of the men’s society of singers [Prager Männergesangverein], of Hlahol, of pupils of the local Conservatory, of musicians of the Royal Estates Theatre and with many dilettantes, on Tuesday 23rd December 1862 in the Hall on Žofín Island to benefit its institute to the support of widows and orphans, the great oratorio: Eliáš, words from the old texts, in music set by F. Mendelssohn-Bartholdy.’ The newspaper in its issue dated 23/12/1862 then published further information that the: ‘Great oratorio „Eliáš“ by F. Mendelssohn-Bartholdy, which we already noted, is being performed today by the Society of Musical Artists with the participation of gentlemen and ladies of the Žofín Academy, Cecilia Society, the Men’s Singing Society, Hlahol, pupils of the local Conservatory, musicians of the Royal Estates Theatre and with many amateurs, today in Žofín Island Hall commencing 5 o’clock. We hope the attendance at the performance of this masterpiece of the great Mendelssohn will be great, and the profit too to the good cause, specifically dedicated to benefit the Institute of the Society of Musical Artists for the Support of Widows and Orphans.’  

The Czech-language music periodical Dalibor published an unsigned review of this event in its issue dated 1/1/1863. The correspondent reported that the: ‘Oratorio „Elias“ of F. Mendelssohn-Bartholdy was performed with the combined forces of almost all musical forces [of Prague] on Tuesday 23rd December in the Žofín Hall directed by Kapelník [Kapellmeister] Jahn, and the Society of Musical Artists gained not a little merit in the choice of producing for us again this excellent work of the late master. The substance [Látka] of this oratorio contains in itself great vigour and even dramatic elements, which provides Mendelssohn with opportunities to provide music of dramatic expression, as particularly testifies the scene with the priests of Baal. Like Haendel, so Mendelssohn made use of tone-painting in this oratorio for graphic description in some parts. Namely, the powerful closing chorus of the first part: „Vody mocně hučí“ [translated as ‘Waters mightily roar.’ Final chorus of part 1, ‘Thanks be to God!’], then the chorus about the Lord, who „nepříšel v bouře, zemětřesení, v ohni, nýbrž v kumění“ [‘did not come in tempest, earthquake, in fire, but in whispering’, and then in the aria „Nářek skal“ [Lament, ‘It is enough’]. Some of the vocal sections are in the true sense classical and can stand alongside [those of] Handel, these are the songs of the Angels, single voice and chorus, but particularly the chorales and the magnificent song „Svatý“ [‘Holy’] of the Angels in the second part. The performance of the oratorio, if we take into account the even variety of the forces participating in the work, was fitting; however the tempi which the Kapelník chose were not always agreeable. Of all of the sololists Mr Lukes excelled most of all, his deeply felt and distinctive performance making the utmost impression. Deserving of praise were Mrs Kainz-Prausová, Mrs [Schmidt-]Procházková, Miss Helena Zawiszanka, Miss Ehrenbergová, Mr Hardtmuth and Mr Bernard. Miss Schupplová, who sung the part of the widow, is a true beginner who still has no grasp of the music of oratorio, and we regretted that she was entrusted with this part. The attendance was exemplary and the applause vociferous.’