Fanny

You'll probably know her younger brother, Felix Mendelssohn, from 19th century smash hits like The Wedding March. He was the Cliff Richard of his day and was even asked to play at a personal concert for Queen Victoria. But only if he played her favourite piece of music ever, a song called Italien.

However, we now know that Felix was forced to admit to the Queen that, in actuality, the piece had been composed by his sister, Fanny, and simply published under his name.

Calum Finlay's play Fanny imagines that Fanny intercepts a letter addressed to 'F. Mendelssohn' inviting Felix to play for Queen Victoria. As the true composer of Italien, she decides to hide the letter, don her brother's clothes, and take his place at the palace… cueing a race across Europe and a furious Felix.

This fun and irreverent new comedy celebrates classical music and - at last - the work of a composer overlooked because of her sex. It is premiered at The Watermill Theatre, Newbury, in May 2024.