biography
pronunciation:
[smetana]
| sex:
| male
|
| lived:
| (1824–84)
|
| biography:
| Composer, born in Litomyšl, C Czech Republic (formerly Bohemia, Austrian Empire). He studied in Prague, and in 1848 opened a music school with the financial support of Liszt. He became conductor of the Philharmonic Orchestra in Göteborg, Sweden, in 1856. Returning to Prague in 1861, he was instrumental in establishing the national opera house. His compositions, intensely national in character, include nine operas, notably Prodaná nev&ebreve;sta (1866, The Bartered Bride), and many chamber and orchestal works, including the series of symphonic poems Má vlast (1874–9, My Country). Overwork destroyed his health, and in 1874 he became deaf, though he continued to compose until a mental breakdown in 1883. |
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