Deaf Empire reimagines the life of Bedřich Smetana (1824–1884), the beloved Czech composer, dramatizing the turning points that brought him from obscurity to fame and back.

Insisting on the validity of Czech melodies and themes in classical music and opera, Smetana achieved prominence but also endured the death of his wife and children before losing his hearing at the age of 50. In the final decade of his life, while suffering from deafness and worsening mental health, Smetana composed some of his most famous music, including Má vlast (My Homeland), an orchestral portrayal of the landscapes and legends of Bohemia.

Recreating Smetana’s struggle for artistic integrity amid the cultural imperialism of Austro-Hungarian rule and the limits of his own ability, Deaf Empire is a meditation on music, artistic dedication and the vicissitudes of fame and fate.