The annual concert of the Prague Humanitarian Musical Society was produced by Celestin Müller, whose piano institute functioned as the practical teaching arm of the Society. Müller’s institute gave its own concert, with a similar programme, as one of an annual series of six Lenten musical entertainments on 25/4/1859.’

Advance news, signed ‘ß.’, of this, the annual concert of the Society was published by Prager Morgenpost 14/5/1859. The text noted the date, time and venue of the event and that ‘The programme, which contains vocal as well as instrumental compositions, is in its choice of works assembled with great diligence and taste.’ A selection of the instrumental items contained in the two parts of the programme was listed, followed by details of the vocal items being given throughout the whole of the concert. A review of the event appeared in Prager Morgenpost 17/5/1859. This reported that ‘regardless of the unfriendly weather ... there gathered an exceptionally numerous and refined audience, which tightly packed the entire venue, the great Hall, gallery and elsewhere.’ The critic then noted how the production also faced difficulty from its taking place at the very end of the ‘very rich’ concert season before an already ‘quite sated’ audience. In view of such circumstances the event was judged to be a success and well-satisfied the many listeners. ‘We heard light salon pieces and classical concert-music performed with the same excellence of exection and with a facility and precision [and confidence that is] taught proficiently in the school. Particularly well received were Mistresses Th. Blumentritt, A. Turner [Turnerova] and Messrs J. Cainer [Čajner], C. Müller and the composer Mr Carl Bendl [Karel Bendl] (one of the able [former] pupils of the establishment) performing “Phantasiestück” for 2 pianos and physharmonika’. The work was praised for ‘its fine conception and its melodic wealth’, and was noted to have given the performers an opportunity to develop their skills in ensemble playing. ‘In the second part [of the concert Bendl] ... also revealed himself through the rendition of an “Etüde” by Schulhoff “Le Tournoi” to be a most agile and wise performer. Very good, and with a sureness that at his age doubly deserves to be recognized ... [was the performance by] 11-year old Voves of a piano piece by Kittl “Le Zephir”. The pleasantly surprised audience accorded the little virtuoso rich applause. Miss Clementine Wlczek [Vlčkova] ... and Miss Marie Czelakowsky ... both demonstrated delicate and elegant playing. For everyone however, the highlight had to be Miss Antonie Turner, in whom we hail a maturing talent. She played the “Don Juan-Phantasie” of Thalberg in a veritably excellent manner .... Not less praiseworthy was the success of the given vocal items, the pleasing performance of which testified to the earnest endeavours of the able singing teacher Mr Emminger. In the quartet for female voices “Mährchen” of Möhring, Misses Olga and Bertha Wahle, M. Czelakowsky and M. Hassenteufel demonstrated really fine progress in the studies. Miss Therese Lederer, who sang the avowedly beautiful aria of Mozart “Neue Freuden, neue Schmerzen” with expessive feeling, possesses a sympathetic voice.’ Miss Olga Wahle was also praised fo her performance of Kittl’s song Die Betende. Finally, the review remarked upon performances given by the two teachers of the institute, Müller and Emminger. The former’s rendition of his own Adagio and Rondo for oboe showed that he ‘handled the instrument with a mastery we so seldom find.’ Emminger’s performance of an aria from Idomeneo proved ‘this veteran ... still possesses a fully forceful voice.’

Preliminary news of this concert also appeared in Prager Zeitung 13/05/1859, in a single sentence noting the date, time and venue of this Humanitarian Society concert, and in the Tageskalender of Bohemia 15/05/1859. A brief review, signed ‘!!’ was published by Prager Zeitung well after the concert on 26/5/1859. This reported that the concert was really a ‘Prüfung’, in essence a practical examination-style performance that was given by pupils of the institute. The text went on to say that the success of the event and the level of the performances was a guarantee of the good educational method of the school. Müller and Emminger were described as an inspiration to the pupils.

A review, signed ‘-k.’, of this event was published by Dalibor 20/5/1859. Unusually for a large-scale musical event being produced by a Prague society whose programme contained new works by native Czech composers, no information about the occasion was forthcoming in any earlier issue of the periodical. The review reported that the concert ‘gained an ample attendance and favourable success. Of the pupils who performed irreproachably it is fitting to name Miss Klem. Vlčkova, who in the piece “Le carillon” by Jael demonstrated great ability, then Miss Mar. Čelakovská who performed an adagio and rondo by Hummel with commensurate feeling and taste. Miss Ant. Turnerova made the greatest impression, performing with great bravura and elegance the “Don Juan-fantasie”. Of the pupils [also] deserves special praiseworthy mention young Voves, who performed “Zefír” by Kittl. Mr Karel Bendl, graduate of the Organ School, very nicely performed his Fantasie (for 2 pianos and physharmonica), and proves to be a talented composer. Apart from that we heard the quartet for female voices “Mährchen” of Möhring, then an aria from Idomeneo which Mr Eminger, teacher of singing in Müller’s institute, as usual routinely sang. The director Mr Müller performed an adagio and rondo for oboe, and obtained great approbation and loud applause. The remainder of the pupils, male and female, acquitted themselves well and contributed to the success of the whole.’