PHOTO PROMPT ©David Stewart.
June 21, 1876 – Jabkenice
No eyes with questions here. Hated it when they moved their lips in Prague, but I couldn’t hear their words. Even Bettina didn’t seem to care at home.
They never believed I can do it anymore. As “Don Giovanni” played in my head – I wrote it note by note, and they matched it with the Mozart’s original. I had the last smile, as I left them stunned.
11 June, 1881 – Prague
They didn’t allow me to enter for the premier of my opera, Libuše. At the end they were forced by the audience to allow me on stage. The applause was deafening to my silent ears.
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Story of Bedřich Smetana – the Czech Maestro who went deaf !
Written for Firday Fictioneers hosted by Rochelle !
Rest of the fictions are in the froggy link:
Abode of Horus 
Great story, it immediately made me think of Van Gog. Liked how he didn’t give up and didn’t settle for anything but greatness!
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Thanks Dennisse ! When you are in love with someone or something you are connected… and the connection helps to surmount all obstacles.
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Amazing to be able to compose while being deaf… I did know about Beethoven but didn’t know about Smetana…
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Thanks Björn! Actually I found there were quite a few composers who went deaf in the later life. But the deep knowledge helped them play music in mind and use the musical language to communicate it to others!
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It must be amazing to have a gift such as that.
Also, a good life lesson: No matter what obstacles you may face, never give up on what you want.
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Very true Francesca – if you don’t give up on life – life won’t give up on you 🙂
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Cool history lesson – I hadn’t heard of Smetana, but the piece of music you linked sounds familiar.
Cheers
KT
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Thanks KT – actually there are a number of his pieces that have been used by others in their popular works later.
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Lovely slice of history. Thanks for broadening my horizons.
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Thanks Alicia – its you fellow fictioneers who help me do it 🙂
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It’s good that we continue to pay homage to such as these – we really are blessed by their musical genius. Well told.
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I fully agree Margaret – thanks for your visit and comment!
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I didn’t know about Smetana, but Beethoven was deaf, too, in his later years. A wonderful story, I especially liked the last line.
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I learned that there were a number of composers during that period went deaf during the later years of life – Beethoven and Smetana were just two of them. Thanks for your appreciation!
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Becoming deaf must be devastating for a composer, unless shutting out the world’s sounds allows the music to come through?
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Am sure it must be devastating, but at the same time I guess the attachment with music makes them play it inside his head – without it actually being there in the outside world. Amazing what our brain and will can do ! Thanks for your comment Liz.
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What a wonderful story. I can only imagine the same thing happened to Beethoven
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Yup – these geniuses could listen – create and play musing inside their head without them being present in the real world! May be thats why they were genius ! Thanks for visit and comment Dale.
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Dear Horus,
I loved this slice of history. I cannot imagine the experience of being a composer and then losing my hearing, or being an artist and losing my sight. Your story was touching without being schmaltzy. Good job with a tough prompt.
Aloha,
Doug
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I read when God takes something away – he also gives something back. For these geniuses, I guess they got the music in their brain – to create, listen and compose. Thanks for the appreciation Doug – Aloha !!!
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Dear Horus,
My hat is off to another writer of historical fiction. You made me dig a little bit and I thank you for that. I didn’t know about Smetana. Well done, sir.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Thanks a ton Rochelle – for helping us create such tribute to these masters. I really value your appreciation !
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A beautiful tribute to an amazing artist. Great story.
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