Felix Mendelssohn, born Jakob Ludwig Felix Mendelssohn-Bartholdy on February 3, 1809, in Hamburg, Germany, was a prominent composer, pianist, organist, and conductor of the early Romantic period. A grandson of the Jewish philosopher Moses Mendelssohn, Felix was raised initially without religion but was baptized as a Lutheran at the age of seven. His family adopted the surname Bartholdy following their conversion to Christianity.

Mendelssohn's early life was marked by his prodigious musical talent. He began piano lessons with Ludwig Berger and studied composition with Carl Friedrich Zelter in Berlin, where his family moved in 1811. His education was comprehensive, including lessons in literature and landscape painting, which contributed to his broad cultural knowledge. Mendelssohn's musical genius was evident from a young age; he composed numerous works during his childhood, including operas and symphonies for string orchestra.

Mendelssohn made his public debut at nine years old and joined the Singakademie music academy in 1819, where he began composing prolifically. His early works include the Overture to A Midsummer Night's Dream (1826) and the opera The Marriage of the Camacho. He played a significant role in reviving interest in Johann Sebastian Bach's music, notably conducting a performance of the St. Matthew Passion in 1829.

Throughout his career, Mendelssohn enjoyed success across Europe, particularly in Britain, where many of his major works premiered. His compositions include the Italian Symphony (1833), the Violin Concerto in E Minor (1844), and the oratorio Elijah (1846). He founded the Leipzig Conservatory of Music in 1843, establishing Leipzig as a musical hub in Germany.

In 1837, Mendelssohn married Cécile Jeanrenaud, with whom he had five children. Despite his conservative musical tastes, which set him apart from more radical contemporaries, Mendelssohn's work has been re-evaluated and remains popular today. He passed away on November 4, 1847, in Leipzig, at the age of 38. His legacy as a leading figure of the Romantic era endures through his extensive and influential body of work.