Bedřich Smetana (1824–1884)

Czech composer Bedrich Smetana was born in Litomysl and educated in Prague. From 1856 to 1869, he conducted for the Philharmonic Orchestra in Goteborg, Sweden. After his return to Prague, he opened a music school and then, in 1866, became conductor of the new National Theatre, where his own operas mostra altro were first performed. Overwork destroyed Smetana's health, and in 1874 he became totally deaf. He continued to compose, however, until he suffered a mental breakdown in 1883. Smetana is known for the intense national character of his compositions. Among his best-known works are the opera The Bartered Bride (1866), six symphonic works entitled Ma Vlast (1874), and the string quartet Aus meinem Leben, the latter two composed while he was deaf. (Bowker Author Biography) mostra meno