Mendelssohn-Haus, House museum in Leipzig, Germany
The Mendelssohn-Haus is the former residence of composer Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy in Leipzig, displaying rooms furnished with period pieces and his personal items. An interactive space called the Effektorium lets visitors conduct a virtual orchestra using modern technology.
The late-classicist building dates from 1844. Mendelssohn moved into the second-floor apartment with his family in 1845, when the address was Königstraße 5, and died there on 4 November 1847. In 1991 Kurt Masur became chairman of the International Mendelssohn Foundation, which restored the house; the museum opened on 4 November 1997, the 150th anniversary of the composer's death.
The music salon hosts matinee concerts every Sunday, continuing the family's Sunday musical gatherings. Since November 2017 the second floor has a permanent exhibition on Fanny Hensel, Mendelssohn's sister and a composer in her own right.
You can explore the rooms at your own pace or join a guided tour to learn more about Mendelssohn's life. Allow time for the Effektorium experience, which works well as a break between viewing the other spaces.
The interactive conducting installation opened on 3 February 2014 on the ground floor. Visitors lead a virtual orchestra, rebalance individual instrument groups and switch playback between modern and historical instruments. A room-high Paternoster display case presents historical objects from the collection.
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