Mendelssohn-Bartholdy

FELIX, (-bar-tol'de,) a distinguished German musical composer, B. at Hamburg, 1809, manifested a precocious taste and genius for music. In his 18th year he produced his famous Overture to the Midsummer Night's Dream, as well as the opera of the Wedding of Camacho. His fame was at once secured. In 1836 appeared his oratorio of St. Paul; and in 1846, the magnificent one called Elijah-a masterpiece, second only to the greatest works of Handel. M.'s Songs without Words are among the most admired ofhis minor compositions. D. 1847. [s. 591]