Bedrich Smetana was a Czech composer whose music mimicked his country’s revolutionary spirit. He was born in 1824 in a city near Prague and gave his first public performance at age 6. He completed his musical education under the supervision of his cousin and started playing many private events and soirees in Pilsen.
In 1948 he opened his own music school which became popular among Prague’s music scene, and was attended by Franz Liszt and Holy Roman Emperor Ferdinand I. He continued to compose, especially operas, which were highly nationalistic. He died in 1884 in poor health.
