Anyone who has been to a wedding has enjoyed the soaring musical genius of Felix Mendelssohn - his ‘Wedding March’ may be the best-known classical composition of all time. But Felix was not the only genius in the family. His sister Fanny was also a brilliant composer, yet most people have never heard of her.
Fanny was equal to any of her contemporaries, male or female; technically brilliant and boldly ground-breaking. Yet not until she was 40 did she dare to defy Felix’s disapproval and publish her music under her own name. Tragically, the resulting joy and recognition were short-lived. Less than a year later, Fanny died, and shortly afterwards Felix too – his already poor health exacerbated by grief. Directed by the composer’s great great great granddaughter, BAFTA-winning filmmaker Sheila Hayman.