One of the most beautiful pieces of music, Beethoven’s ‘Fur Elise’ was actually ‘Für Therese’.
Copywriter Ludwig Nohl, unintentionally changed it to quite a different name.
Therese, true dedicatee of ‘Für Elise’ was Therese Malfatti, a woman who Beethoven proposed the year he composed ‘Für Elise’. She was the owner of the manuscript. A friend & student of Beethoven but she married an Austrian nobleman.
Some researchers have suggested Elise was a German soprano named Elisabeth Röckel. Röckel played Florestan in Beethoven’s opera Fidelio. Beethoven fell in love & wanted to marry her.
There’s a 3rd candidate. Another German soprano & friend of Beethoven called Elise Barensfeld.
Who’s the mystery woman?
