• unspecified participants: unspecified

Prager Morgenpost 6/1/1859 announced that ‘For the celebratory opening of this year’s Carnival [season] the first public ball will take place in the completely renovated and excellently lit Apollo Hall on Sunday 9 January.’ No further details were given by this report. A notice had been published in Prager Morgenpost 30/12/1858 by Johann Stuchlý, the manager of the venue, drawing attention to the substantial refurbishment of the Apollo Hall for the forthcoming season. The changes included new parquet flooring, new décor and the installation of gas lighting.

An advertisement for this first public ball of the season to be held in the Apollo Hall appeared in Prager Morgenpost 9/1/1859. This noted the time of the event and that it would end the following day (i.e. after midnight). Admission prices for gentlemen depended upon whether they were accompanied by a lady partner, and whether the tickets were purchased in advance or at the ticket office at the time of the event. Prices were also quoted in two currencies, presumably reflecting the change in coinage that came into effect in November 1858. Thus, admission in advance for ‘gentlemen in the company of ladies’ was 30kr ‘Conv-Münze’ or 52½kr ‘österr. Währung’, or ‘without ladies’ 20kr and 35kr depending upon the currency. Admission bought at the time of the event cost 36kr or 63kr depending upon the currency for gentlemen accompanied, or 24kr or 42kr unaccompanied. No details of the event programme were given by the advertisement.