Felix Mendelssohn (Bartholdy) is regarded as the 19th Century equivalent of Mozart. Phenomenally gifted from childhood, his magical “Midsummer's Night Dream” vaulted the 17-year-old to the forefront of German composers. The “Wedding March” from this work has become a traditional part of marriage ceremonies, earning Mendelssohn a permanent place in popular culture. This year marks his 200th birthday, and European orchestras are celebrating the works of this musical genius with exceptional concerts and music festivals. The second stop is Berlin where the Mendelssohn family moved when Felix was seven. It was here, in Germany’s artistic and cultural centre, that he started his serious studies in piano and composition. Berlin hosts 150 theaters, 8 symphony orchestras and approximately 170 museums, making it a veritable paradise for music and culture buffs. A feature event will be a performance by the world famous Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra. At the age of 26, Mendelssohn moved to Leipzig – where the tour follows him - becoming conductor of the Gewandhaus Orchestra. He revived interest in the music of J.S. Bach, who had been cantor of St.Thomas Church in Leipzig a century before, and pioneered the first complete collection of Bach’s works. The “Mendelssohn Festival 2009” will be an extended version of the annual event, with international classical music stars coming together to pay tribute to this iconic composer. After stopping in the exquisitely restored city of Dresden to sightsee and attend a performance by the historic Dresden Staatskapelle, the tour continues to captivating Prague. There are numerous historic landmarks and fascinating architecture to explore during the day while in the evening guests attend performances at one of the most important classical music events in Eastern Europe – the Prague Autumn International Music Festival. The tour concludes in Vienna, long the musical and cultural heart of Europe, where virtually every significant composer, from Mozart to Mahler, lived and worked. An evening at the magnificent Vienna State Opera is a highlight of the tour. Attending all the musical performances can only be enhanced by the knowledge of your tour leader, offering all guests an unforgettable once in a lifetime experience. 
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Vancouver Symphony violist, historian, and popular tour host, Angela Schneider, has prepared a specialized tour for music and culture enthusiasts incorporating some of the cities Mendelssohn called home, plus attendance at eight concerts featuring Europe’s most distinguished orchestras. The 16-day tour starts in Hamburg, where Felix Mendelssohn was born, the grandson of a Jewish rabbi and philosopher, Moses Mendelssohn. Hamburg was already a prosperous port city in Mendelssohn’s day and this heritage is evident in the traditional red-brick warehouses with neo-Gothic gables and green copper roofs standing along side the modern shipping houses . Germany’s second largest city is also home to the prestigious Sinfonieorchester des Norddeutschen Rundfunks, which will be giving a memorable anniversary concert coinciding with the tour.
For more information or to request a Brochure please contact Great Expeditions at 604-257-2040 or toll-free at 1-800-663-3364. Tour details are at http://www.greatexpeditions.com
