MOZART’S SISTER
It’s 1763 and the Mozart family lead a nomadic life, as patriarch Leopold tours his gifted progeny around Europe to perform for royalty and high society. Young Wolfgang, aged only 12 but already becoming known for his violin mastery and stunning compositions, is accompanied by older sister Maria Anna, known as Nannerl, herself a skilled musician.
Mozart’s Sister tells the story of Nannerl, an artist whose aspirations are thwarted simply because she has the poor fortune to be born a woman in an era where female ambition is deemed unacceptable. Forbidden from composing because it is too much for her ‘feeble’ woman’s mind, Nannerl disguises herself as a man and forms a strong bond with the son of the King of France, Louis, who recognises her talent even after her true gender is revealed, and commissions a piece from her.
Featuring some lush scenes shot in the grounds of Versailles, Mozart’s Sister has the potential to be an epic period drama, but it is let down by its loose production and slightly laboured narrative. Still, the story is compelling enough, and music lovers will delight at the wonderful original compositions by Marie-Jeanne Serrero. (KS) **1/2
