MattRees.net

Today marks the anniversary of Mozart’s death. It was a tragedy for his family, who lost a loving, fun father and husband. A tragedy for music, which ought to have enjoyed another thirty years of productivity from this 35-year-old genius. Most of all, a tragedy — because he was murdered. For a few decades, we [...]

It’s hard to tell them apart, Wolfgang Mozart and the great composer’s sister Nannerl. Both had prominent noses, mischievous eyes, and a certain naiveté to their gaze. But there was a difference. Nannerl was a girl, and that decided which of these fabulous musical talents would be remembered. Until now. My novel MOZART’S LAST ARIA [...]

On the Wall Street Journal‘s Speakeasy arts blog, I’ve written a piece about why artistic attention is finally being paid to Nannerl Mozart, sister of the great composer and an important musical figure who was denied “greatness” because of her sex. I’m referring to the new French movie “Mozart’s Sister,” as well as some other [...]

Continuing my readings from my new novel MOZART’S LAST ARIA. Nannerl, the great composer’s sister uncovers a mysterious letter and the suggestion that her brother’s life may have been at risk. Watch more videos about the book.

A couple of new blog reviews for Mozart’s Last Aria, my historical novel in which the great composer’s sister investigates his death. Iceberg Ink rates the book highly for its historical portrayal: Vienna and this entire classical era is handled with absolute precision by Rees. He gets how it should be portrayed and what it [...]

In my novel MOZART’S LAST ARIA, the great composer’s sister Nannerl sings an aria written by her brother. The aria, Vorrei spiegarvi, is about a woman who tells her lover to return to his fiancee, despite the pain this causes her. It’s a key moment in the book and I decided to write this rock [...]

A great review for my new novel MOZART’S LAST ARIA on the Life in Review blog. Blogger Michelle Vasquez writes: I very highly recommend this book! The writing is absolutely beautiful and the story will hook you from the very start. I really love a story like this one that has some real history blended [...]

My new crime novel Mozart’s Last Aria is out this week in the US. The great composer dies, telling his family he has been poisoned. Mozart’s sister Nannerl comes to Imperial Vienna to find out what really happened. She exposes a Masonic conspiracy and uncovers a secret hidden in The Magic Flute. Look for more [...]

I began my career as a novelist with a series of four Omar Yussef Mysteries, in which the protagonist was a Palestinian sleuth. I’ve followed those books with two stand-alone novels, as they’re called. The first is published this week in the US. MOZART’S LAST ARIA is the story of Nannerl Mozart, who goes to [...]

I did an interview on an internet radio station here in Jerusalem with the delightful Adam Mallerman. We chatted about my Omar Yussef novels, as well as how I came to live in Jerusalem and write MOZART’S LAST ARIA.