Friedrich Von Flotow, a German composer, born in Teutendorf, Mecklenburg-Schwerin, April 27, 1812. A fondness for music led him in early youth to Paris, where he was instructed in composition by Reicha. In consequence of the revolution of 1830 he returned to Germany, but soon after went again to Paris with the operas Pierre et Colombine, Rob-Roy, and La ducheste de Guise, composed in the mean while. He tried in vain to have these produced at one of the theatres of Paris, and it was only after their performance in private had excited the attention of amateurs that he received a commission in 1838 to furnish the music for Le naufrage de la Mid use. The opera was performed 54 nights at the Theatre do la Renaissance, and it was afterward produced with equal success in London and other cities, He much increased his reputation by the Forestier (1840), LEsclave de Camoens (184:3), Alessandro Stradella (1844), and LAme en peine (1846). After remaining some years in Paris, in 1855 he took up his permanent residence at Schwerin, and became director of the court theatre.

There he composed AVbin (1856), Martha (1858), and Zilda (1866). Of all his operas Martha is the most popular, being sung in several languages.