Flotow, FRIEDRICH, FREIHERR VON

Flotow, FRIEDRICH, FREIHERR VON, an operatic composer, born at Teutendorf in Mecklenburg, 27th April 1812. He was at first intended for the diplomatic profession, but on his arrival at Paris in 1827 his sense of his own musical abilities was awakened, and he began to study under Reicha. His reputation was made by his earliest operas, Le Naufrage de la Méduse (1839), Stradella (1844), and Martha (1847), the last two characterised by pleasing melody and by the light and lively character of the music. Of Flotow's later operas only three have attained marked success—Indra (1853), La Veuve Grapin (1859), and L'Ombre (1869). In 1856 he was appointed intendant of the theatre at Schwerin, but resigned in 1863, and returned to Paris. He died at Wiesbaden, 24th January 1883. See Life by his widow (1892).