Pursuant to the sources and references, the author depicts the work of the Croatian Music Institute in the years 1850 to 1890. Through an analysis of the Croatian Music Institute light is shed on the cultural, musical and social life of the city of Zagreb in the second half of the 19th century. The author concerns himself with research into the significance of the Institute for a society characterised by its national tendencies. It was the wish of this institute to be omnipresent in society, particularly with the tireless work of the directorate. Sometimes it was not easy to accomplish the objectives set up, but the activities were nevertheless meticulously planned. The Institute was the initiator of work in various musical activities, through the agency of artists, musicians and important people. Some of its most important merits were to have provided encouragement and stimulation, which underpinned the successes of the society and of musical culture. It can be claimed that in this the Croatian Music Institute was one of the most consistent leaders in the history of Croatian culture. Although at the beginning the Institute was marked by amateurs and amateurish operations it managed to accomplish even the most ambitious plans in its work, primarily relating to the dissemination of music as spiritual and artistic need of the citizenry and people of Zagreb.