A rising nationalistic Germany is the background of FELIX AND FANNY which explores sibling rivalry, jealousy, passion, inspiration, grief and discrimination in the form of religious, gender-based, and racial prejudice.  At the heart of this musical is one woman’s brave struggle to preserve and foster her artistry in the face of enormous adversity.

Germany, 1825
We first meet the exceedingly gifted young virtuosos, Felix and Fanny [Dueling Pianos*] . Shortly thereafter, we meet the rest of the Mendelssohn Bartholdy clan and realize that theirs is no typical family [The Pressure & The Stress]. Convinced that his son is the next Mozart, Abraham takes Felix on a European tour to promote his career leaving Fanny at home to contemplate her destiny: that of wife and mother [To Be A Woman]. While in Paris, Felix writes to Fanny [Letters from Paris].

When Felix returns, the family sits for a portrait by the court painter, Wilhelm Hensel. He is immediately charmed by Fanny; she too is intrigued. The family weighs in on her possible choice for a husband
[This Man]. Shortly thereafter, Abraham plans a series of Sunday salons to prepare Felix for his upcoming tour to England [Concerto for 2 Pianos in Ab*]. To close the recital, the Mendelssohn siblings perform all together for the guests [We Hope That You Will Leave Us Now**]. The salons are a huge success, Felix leaves for England well prepared. While there, he is injured by a carriage and finds himself unable to make the journey back home for Fanny and Hensel’s wedding [Rejoice]. Heartbroken, Fanny does her best to get on without him comforted by the fact that he has written her special music for the occasion [The Wedding March]. By Christmas, Felix is home and full of vitality as the whole family comes together to perform a special anniversary production for their parents [Silver Anniversary/ Festegang**]. By now, Felix has become a phenomenon in Europe, and Fanny has settled down with Hensel and had a son [For the Love of Music]. When Felix is passed over as head of the Berlin Singakademie, everyone is disappointed, especially Abraham [Bridge Between a Father and a Son].
As Felix returns to his touring schedule, Fanny experiences a series of miscarriages [O Woeful Song of Love**]. Distraught, Fanny implores Abraham to allow her to publish her music. Abraham strictly forbids it and instructs Felix to do the same when he takes over as head of the family.
Shortly thereafter, Abraham passes away; Felix takes the reins as head of the family
[The Legacy of Mendelssohn**].

After the funeral, Felix returns to his life on the road [I Need a Rest**]. After years of touring, he settles down in Leipzig as Kapellmeister. While there, a vexing beauty from his chorus, Cecile Jeanrenaud, seduces him; he falls head over heels [O Blesséd One]. Felix takes Cecile home to Berlin to meet the family. When Felix is in Berlin, Hensel encourages Fanny to ask him for permission to publish her work, but Felix denies her request. Fanny acquiesces, but Hensel and Cecile are baffled by Felix’s angry response [Can’t Stop The Music].

After Hensel sells several paintings to Queen Victoria, he makes enough money to take Fanny to Italy for a year. While there they befriend the famous artist—Ingres—the young musician—Gounod—and the burgeoning opera starlet—Pauline Viardot. Deeply moved by Fanny’s virtuosity and her compositions, they encourage her to pursue her dream of publishing [The Will of God**].
The young impressionable Gounod is so moved by Fanny [Softly, Like a Gentle Breeze], that he
makes it his mission to convince Felix to allow her to pursue her dream. When he arrives in Leipzig, Felix receives him warmly, but refuses to be dissuaded. Gounod leaves defeated.

Meanwhile, Fanny returns to Germany with Hensel. Her soul renewed, she begins writing a song cycle describing her trip. It isn’t long before she is approached by music publishers in Berlin; Hensel convinces her to publish at least one song. When she does, Felix is outraged. Fanny sinks into depression, spending long hours at the piano writing [January from Das Jahr*]. Lea tries to console her [Rest in the Lord*], but Fanny knows her sibling too well to think that he would ever soften his position.

At Lea’s funeral, Felix reprimands Fanny for going behind his back. Fanny defiantly promises to continue to disobey him. They part, the family shattered. Back in Leipzig, Cecile convinces Felix to support Fanny’s aspirations. Finally, with Felix’s approval, Fanny throws herself into her music [Notturno*] , but fate intervenes when Fanny has a stroke and dies unexpectedly [Cast Thy Burden*]. Grief-stricken, Felix frantically tries to ready Fanny’s music for publication [July from Das Jahr*] , yet he cannot shake Fanny’s memory and succumbs to the same fate only 6 months later [Help Lord*].
All of Europe morns the loss of their virtuoso [Finale: Psalm 22 Op.78 #3*].

All music is original except when noted:
*Music by Felix Mendelssohn or Fanny Mendelssohn Hensel
**Music based on themes by Felix Mendelssohn or Fanny Mendelssohn Hensel