• String Orchestra of Komzák: participating ensemble, orch
• GERSTBERGER, Eduard: soloist, physharmonica, pf
• KNOTEK, Josef: accompanist, pf

The Dalibor 1/12/1859 pre-event report stated that half of the profits from this concert would be donated to the building of an organ in the new church in Karlín. The pianist Eduard Gerstberger was Josef Knotek’s pupil. A later brief and unsigned review that was published in Dalibor 10/12/1859 consisted of only a seemingly condescending notice that this concert ‘did not even satisfy their [i.e. Knotek and Gerstberger’s] scantiest claims. This was an amateur entertainment, which we cannot judge.’

Details of this event also appeared in a review, signed ‘B.’ that was publised by Prager Morgenpost 5/12/1859. This noted that a ‘very numerous and refined public’ visited the ‘almost unknown’ Spa Hall [Badsaale] in the Kleinseite [Malá strana / Lesser Quarter] to hear the concert the ‘Professor of Piano at the former state Seminary [Convict] in Prague, Mr Joseph Knotek with his 12 year old pupil Eduard Gerstberger had organized.’ The latter performed many pieces on the physharmonica and on the piano, both of which instruments he handled with ‘voluble technique and commendable aplomb... The little Gerstberger was repeatedly recalled [before the audience].’ Accompanying some of the works performed by the youngster was his teacher and also the string orchestra of Komzák. Besides the pieces in which Gerstberger performed as soloist, which were not specified by the newspaper text, also given on the programme was Reissiger’s [spelt incorrectly as ‘Reissinger’] Overture to his opera Ahnenschatz, a song by Abt ‘pleasingly performed by a Lady’, and a composition of Gerstberger himself entitled Kindliche Bitte [Child-like request] to a poem by Lenau and scored for female chorus, physharmonica and pedal harp.

A record of this event appeared in the Tageskalender of Bohemia 4/12/1859 giving the time and venue. Bohemia 15/12/1859 published an account of the financial procedes from this benefit concert. Gross takings were 508fl 68 kr, expenses 177fl 46kr, net profit was 331fl 22kr. Half of this (actually 165fl 61kr) was given to establish a fund for the construction of a new church in Karlín.