Bedrich Smetana, born in 1824 in Litomysl, Bohemia, left behind an entire operatic repertory including Songspiel, lyrical comedy, historical comedy and epic. Smetana was greatly influenced by Liszt, Wagner, Schumann, and other advocates of progressive music. Ma Vlast (my native land), Vysehrad and Vltava, despite being separate pieces, are best played together, as they are all closely linked with the ruined glory of an old fortress overlooking the Vlatava river. Vysehrad is the name of the castle by the Vlatava river near Prague. All three pieces tell the story of the land and the river. Sarka is a tale about the Bohemian Amazon filled with victory and love. Z Ceskych Luhu A Haju (from Bohemian fields and groves) is a song of nature, in which a man tells of his love for his homeland. Tabor and Blanik are pieces about the Hussite rebellion.