lunes, 13 de mayo de 2013
Anne Frank (By Brenda Lewis)
Biography
Occupation: Writer
Born: June 12, 1929 in Frankfurt, Germany
Died: March 1945 at age 15 in the Bergen-Belsen concentration camp, Nazi Germany
Best known for: Writing a diary while hiding from the Nazis during World War II
Biography:
Born in Germany
Anne Frank was born in Frankfurt, Germany on June 12, 1929. Her father, Otto Frank, was a businessman while her mother, Edith, stayed home taking care of Anne and her older sister Margot.
Anne was an outgoing and spirited child. She got into more trouble than her quiet and serious older sister. Anne was like her father who liked to tell the girls stories and play games with them, while Margot was more like her shy mother.
Growing up Anne had lots of friends. Her family was Jewish and followed some of the Jewish holidays and customs. Anne liked to read and dreamed of being a writer someday.
Hitler Becomes Leader
In 1933 Adolf Hitler became the leader of Germany. He was the leader of the Nazi political party. Hitler did not like Jewish people. He blamed them for many of Germany's problems. Many Jewish people began to flee from Germany.
Moving to the Netherlands
Otto Frank decided his family should leave, too. In 1934 they moved to the city of Amsterdam in the Netherlands. Anne was only four years old. Before long Anne had made new friends, was speaking Dutch, and was going to school in a new country. Anne and her family felt safe once again.
Anne Frank's family moved from Germany to the Netherlands
World War II Begins
In 1939 Germany invaded Poland and World War II had begun. Germany had already taken over Austria and Czechoslovakia. Would they invade the Netherlands, too? Otto considered moving again, but decided to stay.
Germany Invades
On May 10, 1940 Germany invaded the Netherlands. The Franks did not have time to escape. Jews had to register with the Germans. They weren't allowed to own businesses, have jobs, go to the movies, or even sit on the benches at the park! Otto Frank turned his business over to some non-Jewish friends.
In the midst of all this, the Franks tried to go on as normal. Anne had her thirteenth birthday. One of her presents was a red journal which is how we know Anne's story today.
Going Into Hiding
Things continued to get worse. The Germans began to require all Jewish people to wear yellow stars on their clothing. Some Jews were rounded up and taken to concentration camps. Then one day the order came that Margot would have to go to a labor camp. Otto was not going to let that happen. He and Edith had been preparing a place for the family to hide. The girls were told to pack up what they could. They had to wear all their clothes in layers because a suitcase would look too suspicious. Then they went to their hiding place.
A Secret Hideout
Otto had prepared a secret hideout next to his place of work. The door was hidden behind some bookshelves. The hideout was small. The first floor had a bathroom and a small kitchen. The second floor had two rooms, one for Anne and Margot and one for her parents. There was also an attic where they stored food and where Anne would sometimes go to be alone.
Anne's Journal
Anne named her diary "Kitty" after a friend of hers. Each entry into her diary began "Dear Kitty". Anne wrote about all sorts of things. She didn't think others would be reading it. She wrote about her feelings, books she read, and the people around her. From Anne's diary we find out just what it must have been like to live in hiding for years, fearing for her life.
Life in Hiding
The Franks had to be careful not be caught by the Germans. They covered all the windows with thick curtains. During the day they had to be extra quiet. They whispered when they talked and went barefoot so they could walk softly. At night, when the people working in the business below went home, they could relax a bit, but they still had to be very careful.
Soon more people moved in with the Franks. They needed a place to hide, too. The Van Pels family joined just a week later. They had a 15 year old boy named Peter. This was three more people in that cramped space. Then Mr. Pfeffer moved in. He ended up rooming with Anne and Margot moved to her parent's room.
Captured
Anne and her family had been hiding for nearly two years. They had heard that the war was coming to an end. It looked like the Germans were going to lose. They were starting to have hope that they would soon be free.
However, on August 4, 1944 the Germans stormed into the Frank's hideout. They took everyone captive and sent them to concentration camps. The men and women were separated. Eventually the girls were separated and sent to a camp. Both Anne and her sister died of the disease Typhus in March of 1945, only a month before Allied soldiers arrived at the camp.
After the War
The only family member to survive the camps was Anne's father Otto Frank. He returned to Amsterdam and found Anne's diary. Her diary was published in 1947 under the name The Secret Annex. Later it was renamed Anne Frank: Diary of a Young Girl. It became a popular book read throughout the world.
Joan of Arc (by Patsy Stevens)
Occupation: Military Leader
Born: 1412 in Domrémy, France
Died: May 30, 1431 Rouen, France
Best known for: Leading the French against the English in the Hundred Years War at a young age
Biography:
Where did Joan of Arc grow up?
Joan of Arc grew up in a small town in France. Her father, Jacques, was a farmer who also worked as an official for the town. Joan worked on the farm and learned how to sew from her mother, Isabelle. Joan was also very religious.
Visions from God
When Joan was around twelve years old she had a vision. She saw Michael the Archangel. He told her that she was to lead the French in a battle against the English. After she drove the French out she was to take the king to be crowned at Rheims.
Joan continued to have visions and hear voices over the next several years. She said they were beautiful and wonderful visions from God. When Joan turned sixteen she decided it was time to listen to her visions and take action.
Journey to King Charles VII
Joan was just a peasant farm girl. How was she going get an army to defeat the English? She decided she would ask King Charles of France for an army. She first went to the local town and asked the commander of the garrison, Count Baudricourt, to take her to see the king. He just laughed at her. However, Joan did not give up. She continued to ask for his help and gained the support of some local leaders. Soon he agreed to provide her with an escort to the royal court in the city of Chinon.
Joan met with the king. At first the king was suspicious. Should he put this young girl in charge of his army? Was she a messenger from God or was she just crazy? Eventually, the king figured he had nothing to lose. He let Joan accompany a convoy of soldiers and supplies to the city of Orleans that was under siege from the English Army.
While Joan waited on the king, she practiced for battle. She became a proficient fighter and an expert horse rider. She was ready when the king said she could fight.
Siege of Orleans
News of Joan's visions from God reached Orleans before she did. The French people began to hope that God was going to save them from the English. When Joan arrived the people greeted her with cheering and celebrations.
Joan had to wait for the rest of the French army to arrive. Once they were there, she launched an attack against the English. Joan led the attack and during one of the battles was wounded by an arrow. Joan didn't stop fighting. She stayed with the troops inspiring them to fight even harder. Eventually Joan and the French Army repelled the English troops and caused them to retreat from Orleans. She had won a great victory and saved the French from the English.
King Charles is Crowned
After winning the Battle of Orleans, Joan had only achieved part of what the visions had told her to do. She also needed to lead Charles to the city of Rheims to be crowned king. Joan and her army cleared the way to Rheims, gaining followers as she went. Soon they had made it to Rheims and Charles was crowned King of France.
Captured
Joan heard that the city of Compiegne was under attack by the Burgundians. She took a small force to help defend the city. With her force under attack outside the city, the drawbridge was raised and she was trapped. Joan was captured and later sold to the English.
Trial and Death
The English held Joan as prisoner and gave her a trial to prove that she was a religious heretic. They questioned her over the course of several days trying to find something that she had done that deserved death. They couldn't find anything wrong with her except that she had dressed as a man. They said that was enough to deserve death and announced her guilty.
Joan was burned alive at the stake. She asked for a cross before she died and an English soldier gave her a small wooden cross. Witnesses said she forgave her accusers and asked them to pray for her. She was only nineteen years old when she died.
Leonardo da Vinci (By: Barbara O'Connor)
Occupation: Artist, Inventor, Scientist
Born: April 15, 1452 in Vinci, Italy
Died: May 2, 1519 in Amboise, Kingdom of France
Famous works: Mona Lisa, The Last Supper, The Vitruvian Man
Style/Period: High Renaissance
Biography:
Leonardo da Vinci was an artist, scientist, and inventor during the Italian Renaissance. He is considered by many to be one of the most talented and intelligent people of all time. The term Renaissance Man (someone who does many things very well) was coined from Leonardo's many talents and is today used to describe people who resemble da Vinci.
Where was Leonardo da Vinci born?
Leonardo was born in the town of Vinci, Italy on April 15, 1452. Not much is known about his childhood other than his father was wealthy and had a number of wives. About the age of 14 he became an apprentice to a famous artist named Verrocchio. This is where he learned about art, drawing, painting and more.
Leonardo the Artist
Leonardo da Vinci is regarded as one of the greatest artists in history. Leonardo excelled in many areas including drawing, painting, and sculpture. Although we don't have a lot of his paintings today, he is probably most famous for his paintings and also gained great fame during his own time due to his paintings. Two of his most famous paintings, and perhaps two of the most famous in the world, include the Mona Lisa and The Last Supper.
Leonardo's drawings are also quite extraordinary. He would keep journals full of drawings and sketches, often of different subjects that he was studying. Some of his drawings were previews to later paintings, some were studies of anatomy, some were closer to scientific sketches. One famous drawing is the Vitruvian Man drawing. It is a picture of man who has perfect proportions based off the notes from the Roman architect Vitruvius. Other famous drawings include a design for a flying machine and a self portrait.
Leonardo the Inventor and Scientist
Many of da Vinci's drawings and journals were made in his pursuit of scientific knowledge and inventions. His journals were filled with over 13,000 pages of his observations of the world. He drew pictures and designs of hang gliders, helicopters, war machines, musical instruments, various pumps, and more. He was interested in civil engineering projects and designed a single span bridge, a way to divert the Arno River, and moveable barricades which would help protect a city in the case of attack.
Many of his drawings were on the subject of anatomy. He studied the human body including many drawings on muscles, tendons, and the human skeleton. He had detailed figures of various parts of the body including the heart, arms, and other internal organs. Leonardo didn't just study the human anatomy either. He also had a strong interest in horses as well as cows, frogs, monkeys, and other animals.
Fun Facts about Leonardo da Vinci
The term Renaissance Man means someone who is good at everything. Leonardo is considered to be the ultimate Renaissance man.
Some people claim he invented the bicycle.
He was very logical and used a process like the scientific method when investigating a subject.
His Vitruvian man is on the Italian Euro coin.
Only around 15 of his paintings are still around.
The Mona Lisa is also called "La Giaconda" meaning the laughing one.
Unlike some artists, Leonardo was very famous for his paintings while he was still alive. It's only recently that we've realized what a great scientist and inventor he was.
Listen to the audio extract and answer questions.
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (by Patsy Stevens)
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (WOLF-gang, ah-muh-DAY-us, MOE-tsart)
was born in Salzburg, Austria on January 27, 1756. His father, Leopold, was a bookbinder. He was also a violin teacher and became famous when he published a method of study for the violin.
Wolfgang's older sister Maria Anna was called Nannerl by the family. Her father began teaching her to play the clavier when she was seven years old and Wolfgang also showed an interest very early. Both children were musical prodigies*, having exceptional talent in that field.
Wolfgang learned to play the harpsichord. He composed his first song when he was four years old even before he had learned to read. Shortly before his fifth birthday he was able to learn a scherzo in 30 minutes. He published his first composition when he was eight years old.
Once he picked up a violin and though he had never had a violin lesson, he was able to sight read perfectly a piece written for the violin. At a later time while visiting Rome he heard a choral work being performed and was able to remember it and write it down note for note. His father was amazed.
Leopold realized the extraordinary capabilities of his children and knew people would pay to see them perform. So the family embarked on a tour that would take them to many countries. When they performed for the Empress* Maria Theresa of Austria, Mozart at the end of the concert jumped up on her lap, put his arms around her neck and kissed her. She rewarded him with a little suit decorated with gold braid. (It was possibly the suit he was wearing in the picture at the top of this page.) Another person in the royal family was the child Marie Antoinette who would later become queen, and during the French Revolution would be executed by guillotine*.
After that concert they began to get invitations to perform all over Europe. They gave public and private concerts lasting from 1 1/2 to 3 hours each, usually giving two concerts a day. It was a grueling* schedule for the children, but it was the only life they had known.
At one point on the tour when he was not quite seven years old Wolfgang became ill. He was treated with glasses of milk with crushed melon seeds and poppy seed in it. He recovered from whatever was ailing him.
Wolfgang on the long carriage trips composed music in his head. It was impossible to write it down due to the jostling of the carriage on the rough roads. The trips were long and hard. In the winter they suffered with the cold.
The boy also fantasized and created in his imagination a kingdom he called the Kingdom of Back of which he was the king. Had he been living today he probably would have created a video game of it.
After a long tour they arrived in Paris on November 18, 1763. Nannerl was eleven and Wolfgang was nearly seven. From Paris they went to England where they performed at Buckingham Palace. In London Wolfgang met Johann Christian Bach who was the youngest son of Johann Sebastian Bach. Later J.C. Bach would influence Mozart in his style of writing.
Leopold became ill and spent months in recovery. It was financially hard on the family. The children couldn't perform and there was no money coming in for appearances. During this period Wolfgang, with a lot of time on his hands, started composing his first symphony* and his sister copied the parts on paper.
The family finally had to return to the continent. Wolfgang was nearly nine, but he was small for his age and his father advertised his age as eight so he would appear younger and more precocious*.
In September they reached The Hague in the Netherlands. Nannerl became very ill. In those days they "bled" people to treat them. Of course, this only made her worse. It was determined that she had typhoid fever. Then Wolfgang became ill with the same symptoms. They both finally recovered and the family returned to Salzburg in 1766.
In 1767 Mozart composed his first opera. He directed the opera himself at the age of fourteen. It was during this time he became ill with smallpox which left him scarred for life.
In 1769 he was apponted Konzertmeister* at the Salzburg court by the Archbishop. He held that position for about ten years.
In later operas he partnered with Lorenzo Da Ponte who wrote the words and Mozart wrote the music. They wrote The Marriage of Figaro. and Don Giovanni together. Antonio Salieri, who wrote more than forty operas, was jealous of Mozart. (Salieri's role is embellished in the 1984 fictionalized movie Amadeus.)
In 1777 he visited his uncle and spent time with his cousin Maria Anna who was called Bäsle. They had a brief romantic relationship.
When Mozart traveled he carried a small spinet keyboard with him in the carriage so he could compose as he traveled.
While Mozart was in Paris he composed many pieces including symphonies, concertos, and sonatas. Tragically, during this time his mother, who was with him there, died of unknown causes. His father, who had stayed at home for fear of losing his job if he left Salzburg, persuaded him to return home.
On his way home he stopped at the Weber's house and there met Aloysia Weber. He fell in love with the 16-year-old singer and proposed marriage, but she refused him. He would later marry her sister Constanze, against his father's advice. However, they were happy living in Vienna and their future seemed to be bright there. Their first son Raimun Leopold was born, but only lived a couple of months. They had six children, but only two of them survived to adulthood, Karl and Franz Xaver.
While in Vienna Mozart played for Haydn, the great composer. Haydn paid a great compliment to the young composer when he remarked to Mozart's father, "Your son is the greatest composer known to me, either in person or by name."
In December 1784 Mozart became a Freemason. Freemasonary is a fraternal organization that was started in the late 16th or early 17th century. Today there are about six million members worldwide. Through the organization Mozart made influential contacts and wrote music for the Masons.
As Mozart began to lose favor with the royal courts he turned to his Masonic brothers for financial assistance. His lifestyle was no longer lavish and he accumulated debts.
Mozart wrote many operas and one of them was called The Magic Flute, a fantasy filled with the values of the Masonic Order. The premiere took place in Vienna. He had worked on it for seven months, but it was not well received during Mozart's lifetime. After his death and in subsequent years it has become popular.
Mozart died in 1791 possibly of an infection. Some say he was poisoned by his rival Salieri, but most people today think he died of natural causes. Mozart himself thought he had been poisoned. He once wrote:
"I shall not last much longer. I am sure that I have been poisoned! I can not rid myself of this thought.
(#227 Mozart the man and the artist: as revealed in his own words )
He believed one of his Italian rivals had poisoned him and he suspected it was Salieri. His rival, no doubt, was glad to be rid of him for he had worked against him for years, but after Mozart's death he did help one of Mozart's sons secure an appointment.
Mozart was destitute when he died and was buried in a pauper's* grave at St. Mark's Cemetery outside Vienna.
Before his death he was working on a Requiem which had been commissioned by a landowner, but Mozart was unable to complete it before he died. Constanze asked Mozart's best students to finish it, so we really don't know how much of it was written by Mozart. Constanze promoted his music and lived for another fifty years after her husband's death.
During his short lifetime of thirty-five years he wrote 626 pieces of music. Ludwig von Köchel in 1862 cataloged the works of Mozart, hence you will see the "K" followed by a number when people refer to Mozart's works. The list includes 18 operas, 50 symphonies, and 30 piano concertos.
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