• Hlahol: participating institution, vv
• unspecified choral societies: participating institution, vv

Dalibor 20/4/1862 published an open invitation from the Prague singing society Hlahol to all singing societies in Bohemia and Moravia to participate in a ‘national singing festival’ in Prague on 17th-18th May 1862. The article noted that the occasion would be preceded by a combined rehearsal for all those participating on 16th May at 3pm in the Žofín Hall. According to the extensive Dalibor 20/5/1862 review, signed ‘-r-r.’, which described the events of the whole festival, the first rehearsal did occur at the date and time previously specified by the periodical, but in the less voluminous surroundings of the Konvikt Hall. The Dalibor review related that ‘The hall was in the true sense of the word packed with those participating.’ At the opening of proceedings a speech was given by the President of Hlahol, Prince Rudolf von Thurn und Taxis, welcoming the various choral societies. This was interrupted by vigorous patriotic cries and enthusiastic interjections from the gathered host. Of the works rehearsed, the correspondent noted only that Křížkovský’s chorus Utonulá [She drowned!] was directed by the composer himself when sung through for a second time. The review related that following this rehearsal Hlahol and the guest choral societies gathered in the more spacious surroundings of the Apollina [Apollo] Hall for an evening entertainment. Also attending were many members of the gymnastic society Sokol dressed in national costume. An unidentified orchestra performed unspecified works, most likely dance compositions.

The German-langage newspaper Prager Morgenpost 15/5/1862 published news of Hlahol’s arrangement of a singing festival. The report specifically noted that the event was a ‘Czech Singing Festival [čechischen Gesangsfeste]’, relating that ‘To the Czech Singing Festival, which Hlahol arranges, 48 singing societies from Bohemia and Moravia have promised their participation. On 16th at 3pm the first rehearsal for the Singing Festival takes place in the Konvikt Hal, on the 17th of this month at 8.30am will be the second rehearsal at the same [venue]. At 10.30 in the morning (on the 17th) the singing societies will parade with their banners [ihren Fahnen - flags or banners] to the concert, which will take place in the New Town Theatre and which is to be combined with the drawing of the Havlíček-lottery.’ A second concert given by the societies was noted to be taking place on 18th on Žofín Islan at 6.30pm.

A review of the rehearsal, signed ‘§’, was published by Prager Morgenpost 17/5/1862 noting that ‘The evening of the day before yesterday and yesterday morning numerous members of Czech singing societies arrived here from throughout the country to participate in the Czch singing festival which Hlahol is arranging in conjunction with the drawing of the Havlíček Lottery.’ The correspondent noted that participants arriving at the railway station were welcomed. Many were noted to be wearing cockades or bands coloured red, blue and white [the Czech national colours]. All participants were given a little medal for the occasion with a red and white ribbon. During the whole of the day the streets were said to have been filled with those participating in the festival. ‘At 3pm the first singing rehearsal took place in the Konvikt Hall. There was found there a very great crowd. The weather was not especially good and it made for a comic scene, the numerous participants in the Konvikt Hall their clothes soaked through with rain. Some people travelled to the rehearsal in hackney carriages.’