• Piano Institute of Václav Stára: pupil(s) of institute, pf

Prager Zeitung 14/7/1861 reported that ‘On 17th July will be taking place the first annual musical performance-production for pupils of the Institute of Mr W. Stára in the Žofín Island Hall.’ The same news appeared in Prager Morgenpost 14/7/1861.

The unsigned Dalibor 20/7/1861 review noted ‘that the success of this annual examination was magnificent.’ Nápravník’s recently published Fantasie on Czech national songs České perle (Czech pearls) was performed by Miss Chevallierová, Miss Krisová and Miss Heinsohnová. Other pupils who were mentioned by the review, although the specific pieces they performed were not listed, were Mr Karner, Lederer and Čížek. According to a report appearing in Dalibor 1/7/1861, Stára’s institute, founded only the previous year, already numbered 50 pupils.

Prager Morgenpost 21/7/1861 published a detailed review, signed ‘a.’, of this event, reporting that ‘The Music Institute of Mr Wenzel Stára, one of the youngest institutes of this art in Prague, held on 17th July the first musical examination-production of its male and female pupils. The choice of performed compositions is to be commended, that all consideration was turned to classical music of Beethoven, C.M. Weber, Tomaschek, Schumann and others, without forgeting modern compositions. The performance of the various pieces was marked by purity, taste and capital understanding. Of the female pupils outstanding were Misses Mathilde Chevallier, Kath. Summ and Kath. Kriese. Miss Summ made a particular impression with her memory. Miss Kriese ... [after] her piece in the programme... received loud applause and gave afterwards a section [Parthie] from Wilh. Kuhe’s charming Fantasie on Czech folksongs. Of the male pupils were most prominent Alois Karner and Karl Čížek. The first played Jaell’s difficult “Paraphrase of Lohengrin and Tannenhäuser” with commendable expression, and the latter Kuhe’s great Trovatore-Fantasie with real understanding.’ The source then praised enthusiastically the work of Stára and the success of his new institute.