The Tyrolese travelling actor, singer and zither player Joseph Blumlacher appeared in Prague in early June 1857, undoubtedly capitalizing on the then popular public taste for Tyrolese folk entertainments. He appeared in the Pštroska Summer Theatre on 3/6/1857 presenting what in effect was a autobiographical play with songs and instrumental music. A theatre bill appeared in Bohemia 3/6/1857, announcing: ‘Royal Estates Summer Theatre in the Pstross Garden. Commencing at 5 o’clock. Ending at 7 o’clock. Today Wednesday 3rd June 1857. First Guest Appearance of Mr Blumlacher. Die Reise mit der Zither. Tyrolese Biography with Song in 3 parts by Joseph Blumlacher. Music by the same.’ There then followed a list of some 21 parts in the play, all taken by named people, although it may be that some of the parts were taken bu Blumlacher himself.

A review, signed ‘-h.’, of the event was published by Tagesbote aus Böhmen 4/6/1857. The correspondent reported ‘In the Arena yesterday was Mr Blumlacher in the picture of Tyrolese life „die Reise mit der Zither“, in the five-fold rôle of author, composer, performer, singer and zither player. The appearance of the interesting guest is very proper, unpretentious, and his piece is a fresh, in plot very simple, image of national life, not without lusty folkiness and with humorous characters, and sometimes very attractive as a healthy, instinctively striking study. As an actor Mr Blumlacher has a pleasantly homely, characteristic appearance and an ingenuously natural tone, also a warmth and verve where it suits; his most worthy moment is in the scene in the 2nd part, the piece with the piece with beautiful gravity and powerful pithiness wherein arrives the Tyrolese „Moideis“ letter and his feelings he portrays upon its receipt. Mr Blumlacher as a singer seems to us to well understand and to master the peculiarities of the folksinger of his native homeland, but the impression of the „Jodel“, especially when attached to a Baroque-comic refrain to a song of seriously patriotic content, seems strange. The music by Mr Blumlacher, apparently fueled with genuine folk melodies, is articulate and melodic, the most accomplished part, the Overture with its interessting juxtaposition of zither and orchestra, was lost in the open air [i.e. in being performed in the open-air arena theatre, presumably by a relatively small ensemble]. The skill in zither playing of Mr Blumlacher seemed to be confined to the necessary accompaniment to his songs. Mr Blumlacher’s part was on the whole very well performed; in the forefront Miss Müller, and then Messrs Feistmantel, Dolt, Brava, Scutta and Gutenthal, gave outstanding services to the good ensemble; the last two were especially applauded in a very comic scene in the last act. Only the portrayal of the villainous postmaster by Mr Siege was inappropriate.’ The review concluded by noting that Siege was not suited to the part and that Mr Kolar would have been better.