Vilém Blodek - Music for the Shakespeare Celebrations

Vilém Blodek

 (October 3, 1834, Prague – May 1, 1874, Prague), was a Czech composer, flautist, and pianist.

Music for the Shakespeare Celebrations

Ten years younger than his fellow Czech composer Smetana, Vilém Blodek was born on October 3, 1834, in Prague. At the age of 12 he entered the Prague Conservatory studying composition under Johann Kittl, and upon leaving settled as a music teacher and concert pianist. As well as composing four operas, two of which are now lost, he wrote a great deal of music for plays, and collaberated with his great contemporary Smetana on music for the tableaux for the 1864 Shakespeare celebrations. However, his frentic workload soon took a toll on his health, and at the age of 36 he entered a mental hospital suffering from a nervous breakdown. Despite a brief recovery he returned there a year later, remaining in the institution until his death on May 1, 1874, aged just 39.