Friedrich von Flotow (1812-1883) was a German composer best remembered for opera. Born in Mecklenburg, he studied in Paris and developed a style marked by clarity, melody and a sure instinct for the stage.

His best-known work is Martha, first performed in Vienna in 1847, which achieved international success and remained popular for generations. He also wrote other operas, ballets and songs.

Flotow’s music is graceful, tuneful and theatrically fluent, favouring charm and melodic ease over heavy dramatic argument. It has a lightness of touch that helped his work travel across borders.

Although later repertory has narrowed his reputation to one title, Flotow was a skilled stage composer with a genuine gift for memorable melody. Martha keeps a bright lamp burning in his name.