Bedřich Smetana was born on March 2, 1824 in Litomyšl as the eleventh child and first son of František Smetana, a brewer at the castle brewery, and Barbora. From an early age he devoted himself to music, especially playing the piano and composition. He studied in Jihlava, Havlíčkův Brod and Pilsen. During his studies he met Karel Havlíček Borovský, with whom he met until his death. Bedřich Smetana was a significant Czech composer of the Romantic period. His most famous works include the cycle of symphonic poems Má vlast and the operas Libuše and The Bartered Bride . He died on May 12, 1884 in Prague.(source: Wikipedia)