Mozart’s Sister

Leopold Mozart was a gifted composer and teacher whose career was overshadowed by his prodigy son, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. Little Wolfie would eavesdrop on his older sister’s music lessons and at the age of three he already showed musical talent. At age five Wolfgang wrote his first composition and Leopold resigned his job to tour Europe with his talented children. Nannerl (Marie Feret) was five years older than Wolfgang and she was accomplished in piano, violin and voice. But when Wolfgang proved to be exceptional at the violin, Nannerl was forbidden to play the instrument given the reason that it was un-lady like.

Nannerl and Wolfgang (David Moreau) were very close. They spoke in a musical language all their own and Nannerl often helped him write down his compositions. When she asked her father (Marc Barbé) to teach her to compose he discouraged her and said that few had the talent. But the more that Nannerl was put down and repressed the more she wanted to express herself musically. If Nannerl had been born a boy her life would have been completely different. In this case her sex has betrayed her.

Being a child music prodigy in 18th century Europe meant traveling throughout the continent visiting the wealthy and influential hoping to be lavishly praised and paid. You were always at the mercy of your host who would provide you with rooms and oftentimes instead of payment you were showered with small trinkets and gifts. But in a time before recorded music it was the only way to become well known. Leopold Mozart was proud of his children and wanted their genius to be renowned, but he was also accused of exploiting them.

One day while traveling in the country the Mozart family’s carriage breaks down and they find themselves at an abbey. While seeking refuge for the night they discover that the King of France has warehoused his three youngest daughters’ there. Because they are the youngest and female they have been sent to the convent to be raised by nuns. Nannerl so strongly identifies with these young princesses that they become quick and fast friends. Nannerl even promises to secretly deliver a letter to the Dauphin of France when she visits court in the coming season. The princesses have never met their older brother and they barely remember their parents.

Because the court is in mourning and it is forbidden for the prince to receive women, Nannerl is disguised as a man in order to deliver the letter. The prince is taking a music lesson at the time and he asks her if she can play. Because she is dressed as a man, and it would not be deemed un-lady like, Nannerl picks up the violin and impresses the Dauphin. He calls on her again, but out of guilt and fear of exposure she confesses her true sex and identity. The prince becomes her confidant and protector.

With the prince’s admiration and encouragement her desire to compose becomes even stronger. She evens disguises herself as a man, now that she knows it’s possible, to attend lessons at the Academy of Music. But as Wolfgang becomes more famous, Nannerl is pushed further into his shadow. She is discouraged by her parents and slips reluctantly into a more feminine role. Mozart’s Sister is a film about repression, prejudice, and the people living in the shadow of greatness.

Rating: First Run Mozart's Sister is about the people living in the shadow of greatness