1. Frédéric François Chopin  Born: 1 March 1810  Just outside Warsaw, Poland

2. Family  Parents Justyna and Nicolas married in 1806.  He was their second child, and only son.

3. Youth  Chopin had three sisters.  He started playing piano at 4.  Older sister, Louisa was his first teacher.  Chopin left Poland in 1830, at age 20 Chopin in 1829

4. Romances  Chopin never married or had children.  He has several love affairs, the most famous with George Sand.  George Sand (Aurore Dudevant) was a French feminist and author.  Chopin’s most productive years were with her. Painting by Eugène Delacroix, French 1798-1863

5. Paris in 1830 Economics  Paris had just survived the July Revolution.  Power was in the hands of the working class.  Paris became the culture center of the world.

6. Paris in 1830  Religion  Chopin was baptized in the Church of St Roch and John the Baptist.  His baptismal certificate gives a different birth date than he believed was correct.  His life was not strongly influenced by religion.

7. Compositions  Trained in German repertoires, such as Bach and Mozart.  First published in 1817 (age 8)  Composed more than 230 pieces of music.  Specialized in piano solos. Photo by Bisson, 1849.Bisson

8. Death  Plagued by frailty and illness his entire life.  Marie d’Agoult said of Chopin, “The only constant thing about him is his cough.” 1  Died of Tuberculosis 17 October 1849  Sister, Louisa fulfilled his final request and took his heart back to Poland. 1 Buxton, David, and Sue Lyon. The Great Composers. Their Lives and Times. 6. Freeport, Long Island, NY: Marshall Cavendish, 1990. 68.