Subject

Composer. Born Jacob Ludwig Felix Mendelssohn in Hamburg. (Bartholdy was later added to the family surname when they converted from Judaism to Christianity). In a comparatively short life, he produced a prolific number of compositions, most famously, the oratorio 'Elijah', incidental music for A Midsummer Night's Dream and The Hebrides Overture. A frequent visitor to Britain, he became a favourite of Queen Victoria. Died in Leipzig after a series of strokes.