Flotow, Friedrich, Freiherr von |
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BORN 26 Apr 1812, Rittergut Teutendorf, Mecklenburg-Schwerin - DIED 24 Jan 1883, Darmstadt, Hessen: Villa Flotow BIRTH NAME Flotow, Friedrich Adolf Ferdinand von GRAVE LOCATION Darmstadt, Hessen: Alter Friedhof, Ramstädter Strasse (III-E-001-003 (3 E 42-44)) |
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Friedrich von Flotow was born into the noble Flotow family from Mecklenburg. He was a son of the Prussian captain Wilhelm von Flowotw (1785-1847) and his wife Sophie Rahel, born Von Böckmann (1792-1862). He received his first music lessons from his mother, who played the piano. From 1828 he studied composition with Anton Reicha and piano with Johann Peter Pixis at the Conversatory in Paris. In Paris he befriended Charles Gounod and Jacques Offenbach. In 1830 he stayed in Germany for a while and at that time he composed his first dramatic works. He performed them in Paris and in 1838. His first success was his opera "Alessandro Stradella" (1844). In 1847 "Martha oder Der Markt zu Richmond" followed. Back in Mecklenburg he married Elisabeth von Zadow (1832-1851) on 21 August 1849. She died in 1851 at the age of eighteen. Further operas in the 1850s were less successful. In 1855 he became the director of the Court Theatre in Schwerin. In the same year he married the dancer Anna Theen (1833-1872). She bore him two sons. After intrigues against him he left Schwerin and moved to Vienna. In 1867 Anna gave birth to a daughter, Anna Barbara (d.1950). He accused her of infidelity and files for divorce. Later, Anna Barbara was adopted by his friend Richard Genée (1823-1895). On 9 August 1868 he married Rosina (1846-1925), Anna's the younger sister. In 1869 their daughter Bernardine was born. From 1870 to 1872 he lived in Wiener Neustadt. In 1880 he moved to his sister in Darmstadt and he died there in 1883. Related persons • was a friend of Gounod, Charles • was a friend of Offenbach, Jacques • was pupil of Reicha, Anton |
| Images |
 The grave of Friderich Freiherr von Flotow at the Alter Friedhof, Darmstadt. Picture by Androom (29 Apr 2013) |
Sources • Friedrich von Flotow - Wikipedia (DE) |
