Bedrich Smetana

Bedrich Smetana is an iconic Czech composer and musician who is noted for his aspirations to use music to define a national Czech identity. His career blossomed throughout the mid 19th century as he developed a signature national sound, writing compositions and operas to encourage independent Czech statehood and to help define national character. Despite deteriorating hearing, Smetana continued to compose to the end of his life - leaving behind him a rich repertory of vocal, orchestral, piano, chamber and operatic compositions that endure to this day.