Liszt Ferenc
Season 1
The brilliant Austrian-Hungarian pianist Franz Liszt was a superstar. He was touring in Europe and giving piano recitals before European royalty and aristocracy. Overwhelming public attention caused complications in his personal life. Liszt had a lengthy affair with Marie D'Agoult, and they had three children. But on his tours in Russia, arranged by Count Vielgorskii, Liszt met the beautiful princess Carolyne Wittgenstein. She left her husband for Liszt. He composed the "Dream of Love", dedicated to her, and the piece became a classic hit. But the Chirch did not allow Liszt to marry princess Carolyne, because she did not terminate her first marriage, mainly for financial reasons. The unmarried couple moved to Weimar, where Liszt was the music director for the Royal orchestra. This became the most productive period in Liszt's life, when he composed his most important music. In 1860 Liszt settled in Rome together with Carolyne and continued attempts to terminate her marriage and marry him. But Carolyne could not terminate her marriage while her husband was alive. Her relatives pressured against Liszt. She and Liszt remained unmarried, and Liszt suffered from emotional pain till the end of his life.
