Chopin was born on March 1, 1810 in Zelazowa Wola, Poland. He died on

October 17, 1848 in Paris.

Chopin’s Birthplace

By the age of 7, Chopin had composed two polonaises. The child prodigy was featured in the Warsaw newspapers, and he became the attraction at receptions given by aristocrats in and around Warsaw. Chopin gave his first piano recital at the age of 8

Chopin gave his first concert at The Warsaw Concert Hall.

Chopin preferred intimate settings for a recital, like the home of Count and Countess Radziwil, as he didn’t like large concert halls.

When visiting Vienna, he heard about an uprising in Warsaw, and decided not to return to Poland. He stayed in Vienna after which hevisited Munich and Stuttgart Germany, where he learned of Poland's occupation by the Russian army.

At the age of 20, and already composed many works for the piano, Chopin moved to Paris.

In Paris, Chopin formed friendships with Franz Lizst, Hector Berlioz, Felix Mendelssohn, and Vincenzo Bellini.

In 1838, Chopin was already very ill with tuberculosis, and had to give private classes and perform in public to support himself, having little time for what he really wanted to do, compose for the piano. His friend Eugène Delacroix painted this portrait.

Franz Lizst

In 1836, at a party hosted by Countess Marie d'Agoult, fiancee of composer Franz Liszt, Chopin met Baroness Dudevant, better known by her pseudonym George Sand, the writer.

Baroness Dudevant fell in love with Chopin, and wanted to take care of him, so that his health would improve. They spent long summers in her country estate, “Nohant.” Frequent visitors were Franz Lizst, and Eugène Delacroix.

Chopin spent 1838 to 1847

in Nohant, where his health

improved considerably.

In 1845, problems emerged in Chopin's relationship with Baroness Dudevant and at the same time there was further deterioration in his health. These problems finally brought an end to their relationship in 1847.

In his new apartment, Chopin composed on his last Piano.

Shortly before his death.

In 1847, Chopin gave concerts in England and Scotland with Jane Stirling even though he was severely ill. He returned to Paris in 1848, but was unable to teach or perform. His sister Ludwika came from Poland to care for him. he died in his home on October 17, 1848.

Chopin being cared for by his sister, his doctor, and closest friends.

Nearly 3,000 people attended Chopin’s funeral at The Church Of The Madeleine in Paris. By his request, Mozart's Requiem was sung at his funeral.

Cast of Chopin’s hand.

Chopin is buried in the Père Lachaise cemetery in Paris. Because he had a fear of being buried alive, his heart was removed and sent in an urn to Warsaw, where it is sealed in a pillar in the Church of the Holy Cross. His grave attracts many visitors and is always decorated with flowers.

This is the pillar in the Church of the Holy Cross in Warsaw where the urn with Chopin’s heart is buried.