Neumann, František (1874-1929)

Czech composer and conductor. He conducted the first performances of Janáček's Káta Kabanová, The Cunning Little Vixen, Šárka, and The Makropoulos Case.

He started in a commercial and military career, but went to study music at the Leipzig Conservatory. After filling various chorus-master's and conductor's posts at German and Czech theatres, he went to Brno as chief conductor at the National Theatre.

Works Opera Idalka, Die Brautwerbung (1901), Liebelei (on Schnitzler's play, 1910), Herbststurm (1919), Beatrice Caracci (1922).

Stage music melodrama Pan; ballets In Pleasant Pastures, The Peri, Pierrot.

Orchestral symphonic poem Infernal Dance, suite The Sunken Bell, Moravian Rhapsody, overtures for orchestra.

Other octet, piano trio choruses, songs, Masses, and motets.