• FEHRINGER, ?: soloist, v
• KNOPP, ?: soloist, v
• Estates Theatre orchestra: participating orchestra, orch

Bohemia 12/3/1850 published, with the title ‘Einladung [Invitation]’, news that on 17th March a concert would be given in the Estates Theatre in which ‘not only our celebrated guest Mrs Küchenmeister-Rudersdorf will participate, but also our native artist Mrs Fehringer and the best forces of our Theatre.’ The clear profit from the event would be put towards a monument for the grave of ‘the immortal poet Karl Herloßsohn (born in Prague 1st Sept. 1804, died 10 December 1849 in Leipzig). Reservations for boxes and stalls [Sperrsitze] will from today be obtainable from the Theatre office, and extra donations would be noted.’ A numerous attendance was expected by all enthusiasts of Herloßsohn’s poetry.

The Tagesanzeiger text of Bohemia 17/3/1850 recorded this event, noting ‘At 12 noon in the Estates Theatre: Great Concert in aid of the erection of a grave-monument for the late poet Herloßsohn.’

A review, signed ‘V.’, of this event was published by Bohemia 21/3/1850. This reported that the [Estates] Theatre directorship had arranged this concert in aid of the erection of a monument for the late Herloßsohn’s grave, and that participating were the ‘best’ of local forces. The works given by the various participants were listed. In addition to the musical content of the programme, Miss Frey spoke a Prologue written for the occasion by Mr Hickel, and Mr Fischer declaimed two poems that were deemed ‘fully worthy’ of this memorial production. The event itself was not a success, which the correspondent considered was in no sense related to the participating artists. The theatre was ‘dreadfully empty’ and very few admirers of the poet were in attendance. Of the works that were performed specific mention was made of Heller’s ‘Grosser Trauermarsch’ which was noted to have already gained well-deserved recognition after being performed during the last summer. Weber’s Euryanthe and Cherubini’s ‘Wasserträgerouverture’ [Overture to opera Les deux journées] were received with applause.

Although not identified by any of the specified sources as having participated in this event, there can be little doubt that ‘the best forces of our Theatre’ included the orchestra of the Estates Theatre, almost certainly conducted by its then principal director František Škroup. The three song compositions Irena, Marie and Die Thräne were described as being ‘part by Abt and part by Schmidt [‘Frau Fehringer und Herr Knopp sangen unseres Landsmannes theils von Abt, theils von Schmidt in Musik gesetzte Gedichte: “Irena” ...’]. The first two of these works were certainly by Abt, being part of the composer’s highly popular set of seven songs Op.39, and were published during the nineteenth century in many different editions and transcriptions. Abt also composed a Die Thräne, op.93, and the work within the event record has been attributed to him. ‘Schmidt’ is not identifiable but may have been the poet of these song texts, or may have been the composer of Die Thräne. The Bohemia review text did not indicate which song was sung by Fehringer and which by Knopp. The composer of the Funeral March noted in the review as ‘J. Heller’ was Josef August Heller. Škroup’s Verzage nicht, with its unusual instrumental ensemble, is now lost. The programme is listed in the order in which the works were covered by the Bohemia review and does not reflect the performance order during the event. No reason for the sparse audience was ventured by the Bohemia corespondent. Although one may speculate that the programme lacking any single substantial work may have been partly responsible, other external factors such as the large number of other concerts happening around this time may have been more to blame, or even the occurrence of cholera then prevalent in Prague. Details of the cholera epidemic were published by Bohemia 21/3/1850.