Jul 17 2008
Bedrich Smetana
Bedrich Smetana life and museum
Bedrich Smetana is famous Czech composer. His most famous works are symphonic poem Vltava (better known as The Moldau from the German), and a cycle of six which he entitled Má vlast (”My Country”), and for his opera The Bartered Bride.
Bedrich Smetana was an important person in the development of musical nationalism in his native Bohemia. He was very influential in the institution of Czech national opera and a Czech national style, especially in his symphonic poems. Later in his life he became deaf, but continued to continued to compose.
The monument is located right in front of the Bedřich Smetana Museum, which is located in the Neo-Renaissance building of the Old-Town water house since from 1883. The museum represents the life and works of famous composer, his manuscripts, correspondence and other contemporary documents.
Muzeum Bedřicha Smetany includes:
* Neo-Renaissance building of the former Old Town Waterworks dating from the years 1883-1884 with splendid sgraffito decoration created according to designs by Mikoláš Aleš and František Ženíšek
* Exhibition: Bedřich Smetana (1824-1884), the life and work
* The almost complete collection of Smetana’s manuscripts, the composer’s piano, examples of the autographs of Smetana’s compositions, letters and diaries
* The exhibition is supplemented by stands with Smetana’s compositions which are manipulated by means of a laser button
The permanent exposition includes The Life and Work of Bedřich Smetana (1824-1884)
contact: tel./fax 222 220 082, mobile 723 555 437, b_smetana_muzeum@nm.cz
Open/close: # Open yearly: Wed-Mon: 10 am-12 noon and 12.30 pm-5 pm, closed Tue. The reading room can be used by reservation. Professional explanation in exposition (for 1 to 45 people; please telephone and book your order first): 200 CZK (in Czech language); 500 CZK (in English or German language).
# A fee for photographing - 30 CZK.