Who is Gioacchino Rossini?

Welcome... to a web site devoted to discovering who this man was.

Gioacchino Rossini was born in Pesaro, Italy in 1792.

The red dot marks Rossini's birthplace, to the east is the Adriatic Sea!

His parents were already actively involved in music. Rossini's father was a notable horn player and his mother was was an opera singer. Even as a young child, Rossini sang in churches and could play the harpsichord.

This is a picture of Rossini's home town of Pesaro, he lived here until 1806.

It was in 1806, when Rossini entered Bologna Academy, at the young age of fourteen! This building stands even today, although it is now called "G.B. Martini Conservatory of Music." Rossini was trained well during the time he spent at the conservatory. He was trained in cello, composition, and singing. He also composed his first opera Demetrio e Polibio and some string sonatas.

He continued to composed and in 1813 two operas,

(*) If you have the CD, "Rossini Overtures," performed by the Orpheus Chamber Orchestra you can select the titles of the following pieces and hear small excerpts from Rossini's works.

(*)"Tancredi,"

(*)" L'Itliana in Algeri (The Italian Girl in Algiers)"

established his reputation outside of Italy. They were commissioned by a Venetian.

These two operas while composed at approximately the same time, were in two different styles. Tancredi, was in a style known as "Opera Seria." The second opera above "The Italian Girl in Algiers," is opera buffa.

Opera Seria - Serious opera, typically has elaborate display arias. Mythological subjects were the norm, and most of there were written for various composers by a librettist.

Opera Buffa - Comic opera, the opposite of Opera Seria. Typically involves characters drawn from everyday life.

In 1816, one of Rossini's most famous works was produced, called"

(*)The Barber of Seville" This opera is still found in most orchestra's day to day repertoire!

1822 Marked two very momentous occasions for Rossini.
1. He married Isabella Colbran, (a soprano who had starred in many of his operas.
2. He met this character...

Do you recognize him? This is Ludwig Van Beethoven!         Rossini continued to travel to London, and Paris. From 1823-1830, Rossini took short residence in composed three more operas, including Guillaume Tell (or William Tell in English!) In 1825, the King of France was so pleased with his work, that he commissioned him to composed five more operas over the next ten years.
        France was under political duress during this time in history, and shortly after this commission, King Charles X was dethroned, and Rossini lost his commission. William Tell became the last opera written by Rossini.
        Despite this set back, Rossini, by this point in his career, was one of the most successful composers of his time. He was able to retire a very young age.
        Little is known concerning why Rossini decided to stop his opera composing, speculation has been made that Rossini's health was very poor, and had declined since his fervent efforts to complete William Tell.
        During this time, Rossini spent some time on composing his only religious works, including a piece named "Stabat Mater."
        Reaching the later part of Rossini's life, he and his second wife moved back to Paris, where he composed some of his final works including 150 piano pieces, and ensemble pieces, he named "Sins of Old Age (1857-68). He died in Paris, on Nov. 13, 1868.

What a fruitful life, full of music and composition. Rossini is still known today for his comic operas, which were the last classic examples of their kind, his opera seria, appropriate instrumentation, and imaginative use of rhythm to create a wit, speed, and grace that is characteristically Rossini!

I hope you have enjoyed learning about Gioacchino Rossini, his life, and his work. If you would like to test your memory of the above information please Click here "GIVE ME A LAUNDRY LIST AND I WILL SET IT TO MUSIC"

1792-1868 Other interesting web links: www.dallitalia.it/itin_e.html