Although he was intended for a diplomatic career, his father acceded to his wishes and he studied at the Conservatoire de Paris under Anton Reicha.

[1] During this time came under the influence of Auber, Rossini, Meyerbeer, Donizetti, Halévy, and later Gounod and Offenbach.

These influences are reflected in his operas, where a distinctive French opéra comique flavour exists.

The three-act romantic opera Alessandro Stradella of 1844 is recognized as one of Flotow's finer works.

From 1863 he lived in either Paris or Vienna,[1] and he had the satisfaction of seeing his operas mounted as far away as Saint Petersburg and Turin.