MENDELSSOHN (-BARTHOLDY) FELIX ( b. Hamburg, Germany, 3 Feb. 1809; d. Leipzig, 4 Nov. 1847 )
From an early age Mendelssohn was fascinated by drama and the singing voice. However his early attempts to composer for the stage were unsuccessful. As a result he turned from opera to oratorio. However, in Wagner's autobiography there is a reference to a conversation between the two composers which suggests that Mendelssohn remained a frustrated opera composer for the rest of his highly successful life.
His family was rich, cultured and supportive of his music studies. in 1827 he was admitted to the University of Berlin, where he became interested in the works of Bach, at that time largely forgotten. The following year he gathered together a group of soloists and a hundred and fifty-six voice choir for a performance of Bach's St. Matthew Passion. This, its first performance since the composer's death, was conducted by Mendelssohn himself.
After his studies he travelled extensively in Europe. He began in England where he conducted his first symphony as well as a concert featuring two of the reigning sopranos of the day. He then toured Scotland, where he indulged his life-long interest in folksongs. The experience was provided the inspiration for his third symphony and the Hebridean overture.
After his return to Germany, the London Philharmonic orchestra commissioned a symphony, an overture and a choral work. Though he was still only twenty-two, Mendelssohn was also offered a conducting engagement which led to his taking up the position of kapellmeister in D├╝sseldorf.
Subsequently he became conductor of the orchestra at Leipzig, one of the oldest in Europe. He remained associated with it to his death, forming strong professional relationships with many singers, including Jenny Lind, who sang with the orchestra in concert. In 1840 he accepted the Prussian king's offer of the position of director of the Royal Opera, Cathedral Choir, Royal Orchestra and a projected Royal Academy.
When the Academy project failed to come to anything, Mendelssohn opened his own Conservatory in Leipzig. It became the most important music school in Germany. During this period he finished a project of his own, which had taken years of work. This was the incidental music for Shakespeare's Midsummer Night's Dream, reflecting MendelssohnΓÇÖs continuing love of the theatre.
His interest in Shakespeare's homeland also continued over the years. In 1842 he had been presented to Queen Victoria's German-born husband Albert, himself a talented musician. In time Mendelssohn became a favourite of the queen herself. Her love of his music made it fashionable in England, producing many imitators.
