Bedřich Smetana
Czech composer whose life and works are celebrated at the Bedřich Smetana Museum in Prague.
Bedřich Smetana (1824–1884) was a famous Czech composer whose life and works are the focus of the Bedřich Smetana Museum in Prague. The museum, housed in a Renaissance-style building designed by Antonín Wiehl that was formerly owned by the Prague Water Company, has been dedicated to Smetana since 1936. It is situated in the centre of Prague right next to Charles Bridge on the right bank of the river Vltava in the Old Town. Exhibits include copies of letters, photographs, newspaper cuttings, and various possessions including his earbone, as Smetana suffered from deafness. Visitors can listen to extracts from his most famous works by zapping music stands with an electronic baton.
- born
- 1824–1884
- nationality
- Czech
- known_for
- Má vlast (including 'Vltava')
Verified Timeline
Lore & Background
Smetana was the leading Czech composer at a time when Czech nationalism was allowed to be expressed through the arts, which had so long been dominated by the official language, German. The Czech people were searching for their national identity and for the first time had the opportunity to perform plays and operas in Czech. The embodiment of this movement was the National Theatre, which opened in November 1883 with a performance of a specially written opera by Smetana, Libuše, which deals with the legendary story of the foundation of Prague. His six symphonic poems Má vlast (My Country) describe various aspects of his homeland: its countryside and legends. The second of these tone-poems, Vltava, is especially popular, and its main tune is broadcast over the public address system at Prague’s main railway station.
Reader's Guide
The main part of the museum exhibits are on the first floor, while the upper floors house archive material relating to Smetana, providing a centre for research. Exhibits include copies of letters, photographs and newspaper cuttings relating to Smetana’s life as well as various possessions including his earbone (Smetana suffered from deafness). There are also folders on music stands which contain material about some of Smetana’s most famous works. The visitor is able to listen to extracts from these works by zapping the required music stand with an electronic baton. The museum is open daily except on Tuesdays.
Did You Know?
- Smetana suffered from deafness, and his earbone is displayed at the Bedřich Smetana Museum in Prague.
- The National Theatre opened in November 1883 with a performance of Smetana's opera Libuše, which deals with the legendary story of the foundation of Prague.
- The main tune from Vltava, the second of Smetana's six symphonic poems Má vlast, is broadcast over the public address system at Prague’s main railway station.
- The building housing the Smetana Museum was designed by Antonín Wiehl and was formerly owned by the Prague Water Company.
- Visitors to the museum can listen to extracts from Smetana's works by zapping music stands with an electronic baton.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Bedřich Smetana?
Bedřich Smetana was a Czech composer born in 1824 who became the defining figure of Czech national music. He crafted a distinctive musical language rooted in folk traditions and the political awakening of his people.
What works is Smetana best known for?
Internationally, he is most recognized for his comic opera The Bartered Bride and his six-movement symphonic poem cycle Má vlast, which includes the beloved 'Vltava' movement. Together these two works capture both his lighter theatrical side and his deep patriotic expression.
Why is Smetana called the 'father of Czech music'?
He essentially built the foundation of a distinctly Czech operatic and orchestral tradition during a period when the nation was asserting its cultural identity. His commitment to weaving folk melodies and national themes into serious art music set the template for every Czech composer who followed.
What is Má vlast and why does it matter?
Má vlast ('My Fatherland') is a cycle of six symphonic poems that Smetana composed in the 1870s as a musical portrait of the Czech landscape and history. The third movement, 'Vltava,' traces the course of the Moldau river and has become one of the most recognizable pieces of orchestral music worldwide.
When did Smetana live, and what were the circumstances of his later years?
Smetana was born on 2 March 1824 and died on 12 May 1884, living through the mid-nineteenth-century wave of European nationalism. His final years were marked by progressive deafness, yet he still saw major works completed and performed.
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