Bedrich Smetana(1824-1884)
- Music Department
- Composer
- Soundtrack
A musical prodigy, Smetana was encouraged and trained by his father.
His move to Prague in 1843 was disheartening when he was unable to
generate interest in his abilities; however, he did form a friendship
with Liszt, and dedicated several of his works to him. He opened a
music school and performed privately for deposed Emperor Ferdinand, and
by 1849 he had made enough money to enable him to marry Katerina
Kolárová, a former student. Bohemia was torn by revolution, and, beset
by financial difficulties, Smetana and his family lived hand-to-mouth
for a number of years. Three of his four daughters died between 1854
and 1856, and his wife developed the tuberculosis that would kill her
in 1859.
Eventually, in 1856, he went to Sweden to work as a conductor and achieved some success. He returned to Prague in 1861 and helped found a national opera house. Fired with patriotism for his native land, Smetana worked on a number of Bohemian-themed operas and also concentrated on learning the Czech language. Unfortunately, his health deteriorated rapidly in his later years; he became deaf as syphilis ravaged his body. He was confined to a mental asylum where he died in 1888, and is buried in Prague.
Eventually, in 1856, he went to Sweden to work as a conductor and achieved some success. He returned to Prague in 1861 and helped found a national opera house. Fired with patriotism for his native land, Smetana worked on a number of Bohemian-themed operas and also concentrated on learning the Czech language. Unfortunately, his health deteriorated rapidly in his later years; he became deaf as syphilis ravaged his body. He was confined to a mental asylum where he died in 1888, and is buried in Prague.
