Felix Mendelssohn

Hello! My name is Felix Mendelssohn, and I want to tell you my story, which is filled with music. I was born in a city called Hamburg, in Germany, on February 3rd, 1809. My family was wonderful, and I was especially close with my older sister, Fanny. Just like me, she was an amazing musician. For us, music wasn't just something we learned; it was like the air we breathed. We would play the piano for hours, and soon, I started writing my own songs. By the time I was 10 years old, I was already composing music, and by my teenage years, I had written symphonies and operas! It was an exciting time, and I felt like I had a special gift to share with the world.

When I was a young man, I fell in love with the music of a composer who had lived long before me, named Johann Sebastian Bach. Today, everyone knows his name, but back then, most people had forgotten his incredible work. I thought this was a shame, and I wanted everyone to hear how beautiful his music was. So, in 1829, when I was 20 years old, I put together a huge concert in Berlin to perform one of his greatest pieces, the 'St. Matthew Passion.' It was a lot of hard work to get all the singers and musicians ready. But when the concert happened, it was a massive success! People were amazed, and it started a whole new wave of excitement for Bach's music that spread across Europe. I was so proud that I could help bring his genius back into the light for everyone to enjoy.

Besides sharing Bach's music, I was busy writing my own. When I was just 17 years old, in 1826, I wrote a piece inspired by Shakespeare's play 'A Midsummer Night's Dream.' Many years later, in 1842, I added more music to it, including a very famous piece you might have heard: the 'Wedding March'! I also loved to travel. I visited Italy and Scotland, and the beautiful sights I saw inspired me to write my 'Italian' and 'Scottish' symphonies. I especially loved visiting England, where I became good friends with Queen Victoria and her husband, Prince Albert. They loved music, and I would often play for them at Buckingham Palace. I also wanted to help other young musicians, so in 1843, I founded a music school called the Leipzig Conservatory, where students could learn from the best teachers.

My life was filled with so much music and joy, but it also had its sadness. In May of 1847, my dear sister Fanny passed away, which broke my heart. My own health was never very strong, and I followed her later that year, passing away on November 4th, 1847. I lived to be 38 years old. Though my time was short, I am so happy that my music has lived on. Today, orchestras all around the world still play my symphonies, concertos, and overtures. And whenever you hear the 'Wedding March' at a celebration, I hope you’ll think of me and the happiness I wanted to share through my music.