Frédéric Chopin was born to Nicolas Chopin, a French émigré, and Justyna Krzyżanowska in Żelazowa Wola. His childhood home was filled with music.

Chopin began taking piano lessons from Wojciech Żywny, a Bohemian pianist who recognized his extraordinary talent and encouraged free musical expression.

Chopin gave his first public performance at a charity event, astonishing Warsaw society and earning comparisons to Mozart as a child prodigy.

Chopin enrolled at the Warsaw Conservatory to study composition under Józef Elsner, who guided his development while respecting his unique creative voice.

Chopin performed two successful concerts in Vienna, receiving enthusiastic reviews that marked his first international recognition as a virtuoso pianist.

Chopin departed Warsaw for his concert career, never to return. Friends gave him a silver urn of Polish soil, which he kept until death.

Chopin learned of the Russian suppression of the Polish November Uprising, inspiring his emotionally devastating Revolutionary Étude in C minor.

Chopin made his triumphant Paris debut at the Salle Pleyel, winning the admiration of Liszt, Mendelssohn, and Parisian high society.

Chopin met the novelist George Sand at a soirée, beginning a complex nine-year relationship that would profoundly influence his life and work.

Chopin spent a difficult winter in Majorca with George Sand, where illness and isolation inspired some of his greatest works including several Preludes.

Chopin completed his 24 Preludes, one for each major and minor key, revolutionizing the prelude form and creating a landmark of Romantic piano music.

Chopin composed his Polonaise in A-flat major, the Heroic Polonaise, an expression of Polish patriotism that became one of his most beloved works.

Chopin's relationship with George Sand ended bitterly after family conflicts, leaving him emotionally devastated and his health further declining.

Chopin performed his last public concert in Paris for Polish refugees. Despite failing health, he also toured Britain before returning home exhausted.

Chopin died of tuberculosis in Paris. His heart was removed and sent to Warsaw, where it rests in the Church of the Holy Cross.