Maximilllian Ullmann was born in 1932 in Stuttgart. His father, originally from Austrian Silesia, was an experimental composer who had spent time in Vienna where he was met with some success. Already born into a family that had converted to Catholicism, he now had become a follower of Anthroposophy and had moved to Stuttgart to work in a bookstore supporting this spiritual movement.

With the Nazi seizure of power the following year, he fled to Prague, a city he knew from his musical studies and career. In Prague he continued to compose with success, and worked as well doing music for Czech radio.

In 1942 he was deported to Theresienstadt with his family. It was here that he composed his best-known work, the opera The Emperor of Atlantis, which mocked a Hitler-like character. The opera was never to be performed, however. In October 1944 he was deported with his family, including Maximillian, to Auschwitz. All were gassed on arrival.

Photograph: Auschwitz Memorial.