Fanny Hensel, Felix Mendelssohn’s sister, was an exceptional musician in her own right and composed over 460 works. However, in the 19th century, it was considered improper for a well-to-do lady to earn money or engage in pursuits intended for men, so some of her compositions were published under her brother’s name. The turning point came in 1842 at Buckingham Palace: Queen Victoria, an enthusiastic singer, chose Mendelssohn’s Italien as her favorite piece to perform. It was then that Felix revealed the work was actually composed by his sister, Fanny. Thus, the Queen’s singing not only brought beautiful music to life but also unveiled a long-kept secret.
Moritz Daniel Oppenheim: Portrait of Fanny Hensel (1842)
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