Letters of Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy from Italy and Switzerland

A vivid portrait emerges from the composer’s own words as he journeys through Italy and Switzerland. The letters capture a young Felix at the height of his early fame, describing the dazzling architecture of Rome, the serene Alpine vistas, and the bustling cafés where he rehearses new ideas. He writes with the same musical precision that marked his scores, noting how a sunrise over the Tuscan hills can suggest a fresh melodic line.

Interwoven with these travel sketches are tender exchanges with his sister Fanny, his lifelong “soul’s friend.” Their correspondence reveals a blend of artistic ambition, familial affection, and the intellectual heritage of a family steeped in philosophy, banking, and literature. Listeners will hear the excitement of a prodigy whose memory could summon entire operas at a glance, and feel the intimate glimpse of a mind already shaping some of the most beloved works of the nineteenth century.