Leybach was a master of the mid-19th-century opera fantasy genre, creating showy piano versions of popular bel canto melodies. This piece reflects the quintessential salon aesthetic of the era, focusing on instrumental brilliance.
At Henle 5 this is a late-intermediate piece — technically substantial, with musical demands to match. The main demands: sweeping arpeggio figures that must stay smooth across positions; fast passage work that stays light and even at tempo; and ornaments that need to sound effortless, not squeezed in.
Beyond that, expect a true singing tone, with the melody floating above the accompaniment, and careful pedaling — clarity depends on the foot as much as the fingers.
At roughly 8 minutes, stamina and memory become part of the challenge — plan practice in sections.
Students must balance the projection of the melodic line with light, crisp finger work in the accompaniment.
Comparable difficulty and character — good candidates for what to learn next.
A level or two down with the same spirit — ideal if this piece is still out of reach.
Where this piece's skills lead: slightly harder works making similar technical demands.
Lesser-known works by the same hand, at a comparable level.
Fantasia brillante 'Anna Bolena' (Op.100) is rated Henle level 5 of 9 — late intermediate repertoire, roughly ABRSM grades 6–7. In the RCM system it corresponds to about level 9.
You should be comfortable at Henle level 5 — meaning you can already play level 4–5 pieces cleanly. Learning it one level early is possible as a stretch piece, but more than that usually leads to months of frustration.
A typical performance of Fantasia brillante 'Anna Bolena' (Op.100) lasts about 8 minutes.
Fantasia brillante 'Anna Bolena' (Op.100) is available as free public-domain sheet music on IMSLP — the score is linked directly from this page.
Pieces at a comparable difficulty and character include Fantaisie brillante sur 'La sonnambula' by Ignace Xavier Joseph Leybach, Fantaisie Brilliante on Bellini's 'La Sonnambula' by Ignace Xavier Joseph Leybach, Fantaisie Brillante sur 'Martha' by Ignace Xavier Joseph Leybach — see the full similar-pieces list on this page.