Collier's New Encyclopedia (1921)/Flotow, Friedrich Adolphus von

FLOTOW (flō′tō), FRIEDRICH ADOLPHUS VON, a German composer; born in Teutendorf, Mecklenburg-Schwerin, Germany, April 26, 1812. He studied music in Paris, but his earlier operas did not find favor with the Parisian opera house directors, so he had to content himself with performances in the aristocratic private theaters. At length “Medusa's Shipwreck” was successfully produced at the Renaissance Theater in 1839. This was followed by “Camoen's Slave” (1843) and “The Soul in Pain” (1846), performed in London as “Leoline.” “Alexander Stradella” was first performed at Hamburg in 1844, and his most successful work, “Martha,” at Vienna in 1847. Among his other works are: “Indra” (1853); “The Phantom” (1869); and “The Enchantress” (1878). He was director of the court theater at Schwerin in 1855-1863; the last years of his life were chiefly spent at Vienna. He died in Darmstadt, Germany, Jan. 23, 1883.