March 2, 1824:
10:00 Shrove Tuesday. Bedrich Smetana is born in the brewery of Litomysl Chateau in Litomysl, Kingdom of Bohemia, 137 km east of Prague, son of Frantisek Smetana, a cooper, barrel binder, and master brewer in service to several noblemen, and Barbora Lynkova, daughter of a coachman. The child is the third of his mother’s ten children and the eleventh of his father’s eighteen children.
October 4, 1830:
Bedrich Smetana (6) appears in public for the first time, at the local school in Litomysl, Bohemia. It is a concert honoring the name day of the Austrian emperor. He plays a piano arrangement of the overture to Auber’s (48) La muette de Portici.
October 3, 1843:
Bedrich Smetana (19) arrives in Prague, his parents having allowed him to pursue a musical career.
January 18, 1844:
Bedrich Smetana (19) is appointed the resident piano teacher to the family of Count Leopold Thun in Prague.
June 1, 1847:
Bedrich Smetana (23) leaves the service of Count Leopold Thun and sets out on a piano playing tour of western Bohemia.
August 7, 1847:
Bedrich Smetana’s (23) first concert on his tour of western Bohemia, at Cheb, is so poorly attended that he abandons the project.
January 28, 1848:
Bedrich Smetana (23) applies to the authorities to establish a private music institute in Prague.
March 23, 1848:
Bedrich Smetana (24) writes to Franz Liszt (36) pleading poverty, sketching his ideas for a music institute in Prague, asking Liszt to accept the dedication of his opus 1 (6 characteristic pieces), asking Liszt to find a publisher for it, and requesting a loan of 400 gulden.
March 30, 1848:
Franz Liszt (36) writes to Bedrich Smetana (24) acknowledging his dedication of opus 1, promising to recommend Smetana’s op.1 for publication, and expressing a desire to meet him, all of which he will do.
May 18, 1848:
Bedrich Smetana (24) receives official permission to establish his music institute in Prague.
June 12, 1848:
A demonstration by an unarmed crowd in Wenceslas Square, Prague is attacked by Austrian troops under Prince Windischgrätz, precipitating barricades and a demand for the withdrawal of the troops. Bedrich Smetana (24) joins the Svornost Corps and mans the barricades.
August 8, 1848:
Bedrich Smetana (24) opens a music institute in Prague.
August 27, 1849:
Bedrich Smetana (25) marries his childhood sweetheart, Katerina Kolárová, daughter of a tax commissioner, at the Church of St. Stephen, Prague.
February 26, 1855:
Bedrich Smetana (30) conducts his Triumphal Symphony in its premiere at Konvikt Hall. It is Smetana’s first appearance in Prague as conductor and pianist.
December 3, 1855:
Trio for piano and strings by Bedrich Smetana (31) is performed for the first time, in Konvikt Hall, Prague.
October 16, 1856:
Bedrich Smetana (32) arrives in Göteborg, Sweden in hopes of employment as a piano teacher.
October 23, 1856:
Bedrich Smetana (32) gives a piano recital in Göteborg at Blom Assembly Room and is recognized as a piano virtuoso.
December 1, 1856:
Bedrich Smetana (32) opens a music school in Göteborg and attracts more students than he can enroll.
March 16, 1857:
Bedrich Smetana (33) conducts his first performance as director of the Harmonic Society in Göteborg.
May 24, 1857:
Bedrich Smetana (33) arrives in Prague from Sweden, his wife and child seriously ill.
September 17, 1857:
Bedrich Smetana (33) arrives in Sweden from Prague.
April 9, 1858:
Bedrich Smetana (34) and his family leave Sweden for Prague because of his wife’s ill health.
April 19, 1859:
Katerina Smetana, wife of the composer Bedrich Smetana (35), dies in Dresden, on their way to Prague.
September 22, 1859:
After the death of his wife, Bedrich Smetana (35) arrives back in Göteborg from Prague.
April 24, 1860:
Bedrich Smetana’s (36) symphonic poem Richard III is performed for the first time, in Göteborg in an arrangement for four pianos. See 5 January 1862.
July 10, 1860:
Bedrich Smetana (36) marries his second wife, Bettina Ferdinandova, the sister of his brother’s wife, in Obríství, just north of Prague.
October 1, 1860:
Bedrich Smetana (36) reopens his music institute in Göteborg.
April 3, 1861:
Today is the effective date of Bedrich Smetana’s (37) resignation as conductor of the Choral and Harmonic Societies in Göteborg.
April 10, 1861:
Bedrich Smetana (37) debuts before King Carl XV of Sweden at the Stockholm Court Theatre.
May 11, 1861:
Bedrich Smetana (37) departs Göteborg to return and settle in Prague.
May 19, 1861:
Bedrich Smetana (37) and his wife arrive in Prague from Sweden.
January 5, 1862:
Bedrich Smetana’s (37) symphonic poem Richard III is performed for the first time in its orchestrated setting, in Prague. See 24 April 1860.
May 2, 1862:
After three months in the city, Bedrich Smetana (38) gives his last concert in Göteborg. He will soon return to Prague.
July 13, 1862:
Bedrich Smetana (38) conducts his first performance as chorus master of the Hlahol Choral Society, Prague.
March 13, 1863:
Bedrich Smetana (39) is elected president of the Czech Society of Arts.
April 23, 1863:
Bedrich Smetana (39) submits the score of The Brandenburgers in Bohemia to the organizers of a competition to produce a truly Czech opera.
September 1, 1863:
Bedrich Smetana (39) reopens his music institute in Prague.
February 19, 1864:
The Renegade for double male chorus by Bedrich Smetana (39) to words of Metlinskij translated by Celakovsky is performed for the first time.
February 24, 1864:
Haakon Jarl, a symphonic poem by Bedrich Smetana (39), is performed for the first time, in Prague, directed by the composer.
April 23, 1864:
March for the Shakespearean Festival by Bedrich Smetana (40) is performed for the first time, in Prague, conducted by the composer. The Festival celebrates the 300th anniversary of the playwright’s birth.
January 5, 1866:
The Brandenburgers in Bohemia, an opera by Bedrich Smetana (41) to words of Sabina, is performed for the first time, in the Prague Provisional Theatre, to great success. Among the violists is Antonín Dvorák (24).
March 27, 1866:
The jury seeking an authentic Czech opera awards first prize (the Harrach Prize) to Bedrich Smetana (42) for The Brandenburgers in Bohemia.
May 30, 1866:
The Bartered Bride, a comic opera by Bedrich Smetana (42) to words of Sabina, is performed for the first time, in the Prague Provisional Theatre conducted by the composer. Among the violists is Antonín Dvorák (24). See 29 January 1869, 1 June 1869, and 25 September 1870.
July 3, 1866:
Seven Weeks War: In the presence of King Wilhelm and Chancellor Bismarck, the Prussian army crosses the Bystrice in force at Sádová, near Königgrätz (Hradec Králové), 100 km east of Prague and engages the main Austrian army. After about nine hours of battle, the Austrians take to their heels and flee towards Königgrätz, many unaccompanied by their weapons. Hundreds drown attempting to cross the Elbe in panic. Thousands more will die of exhaustion and exposure. In spite of the extremely favorable situation, the Prussians do not finish off the Austrian army. 33,000 people die in the battle.
Upon hearing the news from Sádová, Bedrich Smetana (42) flees Prague, fearing persecution from the Prussians.
September 15, 1866:
Bedrich Smetana (42) is elected conductor of the Provisional Theatre, Prague.
September 27, 1866:
Bedrich Smetana (42) takes up duties as conductor of the Provisional Theatre, Prague.
September 28, 1866:
Bedrich Smetana (42) makes his debut as conductor of the Provisional Theatre, Prague, with a performance of Der Freischütz by Carl Maria von Weber (†40).
February 16, 1867:
After a quarrel between Mily Balakirev (30) and opera director Bedrich Smetana (42) in Prague, the score to Russlan and Lyudmilla mysteriously vanishes, causing Balakirev to conduct the work from memory.
March 17, 1868:
Rolnická for male chorus by Bedrich Smetana (44) to words of Trnobransky is performed for the first time, in New Town Theatre, Prague.
May 16, 1868:
The foundation stone for a permanent Czech National Theatre is laid in Prague. A parade of 60 different groups representing Czech society takes place. The largest group is made up of 2,600 choir singers. Representing Czech musicians in the ceremony is Bedrich Smetana (44). In the evening Dalibor, an opera by Smetana to words of Wenzig translated by Spindler, is performed for the first time, in the New Town Theatre, Prague. Among the violists is Antonín Dvorák (26).
January 29, 1869:
The first revision of Bedrich Smetana’s (44) comic opera The Bartered Bride to words of Sabina is performed for the first time, in the Provisional Theatre, Prague.
May 15, 1869:
A Divertimento on Slavonic Songs for flugelhorn by Bedrich Smetana (45) is performed for the first time.
June 1, 1869:
The second revision of Bedrich Smetana’s (45) comic opera The Bartered Bride to words of Sabina is performed for the first time, in the Provisional Theatre, Prague.
May 16, 1870:
Song of the Czechs for chorus by Bedrich Smetana (46) to words of Marek is performed for the first time.
September 25, 1870:
The “definitive” version of The Bartered Bride, a comic opera by Bedrich Smetana (46) to words of Sabina, is performed for the first time, at the Prague Provisional Theatre.
December 2, 1870:
The revised version of Dalibor, an opera by Bedrich Smetana (46) to words of Wenzig translated by Spindler, is performed for the first time, in the Provisional Theatre, Prague. See 16 May 1868.
May 2, 1871:
In Prague, Franz Liszt (59) hears Bedrich Smetana (47) play through excerpts from his opera Dalibor and then a performance of the overture to The Bartered Bride arranged for him.
April 14, 1872:
The overture to Antonín Dvorák’s (30) unperformed opera King and Charcoal Burner is performed for the first time, in Prague, conducted by Bedrich Smetana (48). On the same program is the premiere of Smetana’s Libuse overture. See 11 June 1881.
October 17, 1872:
Prague Opera musicians, led by Antonín Dvorák (31), send a letter in support of Bedrich Smetana (48) to the theatre’s intendant, FL Rieger, who has been trying to remove him.
December 12, 1872:
On his arrival to conduct a performance at the Prague Provisional Theatre, Bedrich Smetana (48) is greeted by a ten-minute ovation from artists, orchestra, and audience in response to attempts by rivals to remove him from his post.
March 27, 1874:
The Two Widows, a comic opera by Bedrich Smetana (50) to words of Züngel after Mallefille, is performed for the first time, at the Prague Provisional Theatre. The audience response is warm but the critics are mixed.
March 29, 1874:
Symphony no.3 by Antonín Dvorák (32) is performed for the first time, in Prague conducted by Bedrich Smetana (50).
April 12, 1874:
Bedrich Smetana (50) first notices the symptoms of syphilis on his body. The infection probably took place three to six weeks ago.
May 25, 1874:
The scherzo from the Symphony no.4 by Antonín Dvorák (32) is performed for the first time, at the New Town Theatre in Prague, conducted by Bedrich Smetana (50). See 6 April 1892.
July 28, 1874:
Bedrich Smetana (50) reports that his ears are blocked and he feels giddy, early symptoms of syphilis.
October 20, 1874:
Bedrich Smetana (50) becomes deaf in his left ear. Within a few days he will be completely deaf.
March 14, 1875:
Vysehrad, a symphonic poem from Ma Vlast by Bedrich Smetana (51) is performed for the first time, in Prague. The audience calls for the entire work to be repeated.
April 4, 1875:
Vltava (Die Moldau), a symphonic poem from Ma Vlast by Bedrich Smetana (51) is performed for the first time, before a Prague audience which includes Leos Janácek (20). “My memory of Smetana is like that of a child’s imagining God: in the clouds.” (Tyrrell I, 94)
May 24, 1875:
Bedrich Smetana (51) enters the clinic of Dr. Zaufal where he undergoes a month’s therapy to cure his deafness including a dark isolation room and foul-smelling dressings smeared on his body. The treatment fails.
October 25, 1875:
“Electrotherapy” begins to be applied to Bedrich Smetana (51) as a last resort.
June 3, 1876:
Destitute, Bedrich Smetana (52) moves to his daughter’s country house in Jabkenice.
November 7, 1876:
The Kiss, a popular opera by Bedrich Smetana (52) to words of Krásnohorská after Svetlá, is performed for the first time, at the Prague Provisional Theatre. The work proves a triumph.
December 10, 1876:
From Bohemia’s Fields and Groves, a symphonic poem from Ma Vlast by Bedrich Smetana (52), is performed for the first time, in Prague. The audience calls for the work to be repeated.
March 4, 1877:
Song of the Sea for chorus by Bedrich Smetana (53) to words of Hálek is performed for the first time, in Prague.
March 17, 1877:
Sárka, a symphonic poem from Ma Vlast by Bedrich Smetana (53), is performed for the first time, in Prague.
November 7, 1877:
In Lamberk, Bedrich Smetana (53) undergoes a quack operation by a Dr. Klima to cure his deafness. It fails.
March 15, 1878:
The definitive version of The Two Widows, a comic opera by Bedrich Smetana (54) to words of Züngel after Mallefille, is performed for the first time, in the Provisional Theatre, Prague. See 27 March 1874.
September 18, 1878:
The Secret, a comic opera by Bedrich Smetana (54) to words of Krásnohorská, is performed for the first time, in the New Czech Theatre, Prague.
March 29, 1879:
String Quartet in e minor by Bedrich Smetana (55) is performed for the first time, in Konvikt Hall, Prague.
January 4, 1880:
Tábor and Blanik, two tone poems from Ma Vlast by Bedrich Smetana (55), are performed for the first time, in Prague in a concert celebrating the 50th anniversary of the composer’s first performance.
June 11, 1881:
Libuse, a festival opera by Bedrich Smetana (57) to words of Wenzig translated by Spindler, is performed for the first time, for the opening of the National Theatre, Prague. The evening is attended by the Crown Prince Rudolf of Austria, to whom the composer is presented.
October 29, 1882:
The Devil’s Wall, a comic-romantic opera by Bedrich Smetana (58) to words of Krásnohorská, is performed for the first time, in the New Czech Theatre, Prague.
November 5, 1882:
The six tone poems of Ma Vlast by Bedrich Smetana (58) are performed together for the first time, in Prague.
January 3, 1884:
String quartet in d minor by Bedrich Smetana (59) is performed for the first time, in Prague.
March 2, 1884:
Prague Carnival for orchestra by Bedrich Smetana is performed for the first time, on the composer’s 60th birthday.
April 23, 1884:
After violent bouts of anger and failure to recognize his family, Bedrich Smetana (60) is taken to the Prague lunatic asylum in Katerinsky.
May 12, 1884:
16:30 Bedrich Smetana dies in Prague, Kingdom of Bohemia, of the results of neurosyphilis, aged 60 years, two months, and ten days. The cause of death is listed as “dementia senilis.” His mortal remains will be laid to rest in Vysehradsky Hrbitov, Prague.
May 13, 1884:
One day after his death, an autopsy is performed on the body of Bedrich Smetana.
March 15, 1900:
Fragments of the incomplete romantic opera Viola by Bedrich Smetana (†15) to words of Krásnohorská after Shakespeare, are performed for the first time, in a concert setting in Prague. See 11 May 1924.
May 11, 1924:
Fragments of the incomplete romantic opera Viola by Bedrich Smetana to words of Krásnohorská after Shakespeare, are staged for the first time, in the National Theatre, Prague, on the eve of the 40th anniversary of the composer’s death and in the centennial year of his birth. See 15 March 1900.
November 28, 1942:
The first of 35 performances of The Bartered Bride by Bedrich Smetana (†58) takes place in Theresienstadt (Terezín).
July 20, 1943:
A production of Bedrich Smetana's (†58) The Kiss takes place in Theresienstadt (Terezín)
April 3, 1984:
Smetana fanfare for band by Karel Husa (62) is performed for the first time, in San Diego, California, to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the death of Bedrich Smetana.