Dvořák Biography

                Dvořák was born September 8, 1841 to František Dvořák (1814–94) and his wife, 

         Anna, née Zdeňková (1820–82)in Nelahozeves, near Prague, in the Austrian Empire.  

         He was the first of 14 children (eight of whom survived infancy).  His father worked 

        as an innkeeper, a professional  zither player and a butcher.  Dvořák was baptized as a 

        Roman Catholic.  His years in Nelahozeves nurtured his strong Christian faith and the 

        love for his Bohemian heritage that so strongly influenced his music.  In 1847, Dvořák 

        entered primary school and was taught to play violin by his teacher Joseph Spitz.  He 

        showed early talent and skill, playing in a village band and in church.