Georg Benda

1722-1795 Bohemia(Czech Republic)

The Classical Period

Georg Benda was born Jir Antonn Benda and later changed his name to
Georg Anton Benda. He was the third child of Jan Jir Benda who was a
village musician and a weaver in Bohemia, what is now called the a Czech
Republic. After he finished college, Bendas brother who was also a
musician, helped him get a job as a violinist in the court orchestra of King
Frederick the Great of Prussia.
In 1765, He wrote his first opera, which changed the course of his career.
He was sent to Italy to study Italian Opera. He eventually moved to
Germany and wrote many works for the stage. He also wrote German
singspiels and a good amount of instrumental music, much of which
became popular. Most of his compositions were written after he was 50.
He returned on a pension, ultimately settling in Kstritz, where he died.
Today, some of his offspring, along with other descendants of Jir Benda,
still perform as the Benda Musicians.