In the early years of his life Myslivecek studied with the Dominicans and the Franciscans in Prague. He was fortunate enough to study with Felix Benda at St. Michal church, and also studied counterpoint with Habermann and organ with Seger. His own works were first published in 1761 including six sinfonias for each of the first six months of the year. Myslivecek played the violin for a church until 1763 when he left for Venice to study operatic composition. Successfully learning from Giovanni Pescetti his first complete opera, "Medea", was performed with great praise in Parma during the year 1764. From there his career as a musician, composer and conductor did not fail. Though he led a libertine lifestyle, Myslivecek was lauded throughout Italy which included his induction into the Accademia Filarmonica of Bologna, being given unofficial titles like "the divine Bohemian," and having sonnets written about him. Other operatic compositions included "Il Bellerofonte," "Romolo ed Ersilia," and the oratorio "Abramo ed Isacco." The body of his work also includes a number of instrumental works which were met with equal acclaim. Myslivecek was conversant with the young Mozart and had an influence upon the latter's compositions. (Some of Myslivecek's works were first accredited to Mozart because their techniques were so similar.) Characteristics of Myslivecek's compositions included contrasting moods, emotional expression, workable modulations and the appearance of Czech folk themes in the presentation of his chamber works. Though he did not supersede the boundaries of conventional techniques, Myslivecek's operas were essentially a series of arias with repetitive and colorful passages especially for the soprano. ~ Keith Johnson, Rovi