Gioachino Rossini (1792-1868)

Donald Macleod explores the life and music of Gioachino Rossini


Gioachino Rossini, born in Italy in 1792, began writing music at
the age of 12. His first opera was performed when he was eighteen
and he wrote 37 more in the span of 20 years. Then, at the peak
of his fame, the composer suddenly disappeared from the public
eye. What led him to this moment? This week, Donald Macleod
traces Rossini's career, from his humble beginnings as the son of
a horn player, learning to write music in order to support his
family, to travelling the world and rubbing shoulders with
royalty. We'll hear the truth behind his mysterious retirement
and discover what made him return to composing, at the very end
of his life.


Music Featured:


Il barbiere di Siviglia, Act I: Cavatina: Largo al factotum della
citta La cambiale di matrimonio (excerpt) Sonata a quattro No 2
in A Major Sinfonia in D - "al Conventello” Il Signor Bruschino
(Sinfonia; N.3 Cavatina: "Nel teatro del gran mondo”) Tancredi
"Oh patria!... Tu che accendi questo core... Di tanti palpiti”
Elisabetta, regina d’Inghilterra (Overture; "Misera! A quale
stato”) Il barbiere di Siviglia (Overture; "Una voce poco fa”)
Otello Act III (excerpt) Mosè in Egitto (excerpts) Ermione
Overture Semiramide (excerpts) Le siège de Corinthe Overture
Guillaume Tell Overture Soirées Musicales Stabat Mater (Stabat
Mater dolorosa; Amen) Musique anodine Péchés de vieillesse Vol 9
Petite messe solennelle (I. Kyrie; XVIII. Agnus Dei)


Presented by Donald Macleod Produced by Alice McKee


For full track listings, including artist and recording details,
and to listen to the pieces featured in full (for 30 days after
broadcast) head to the series page for Gioachino Rossini
(1792-1868) https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m001md7b


And you can delve into the A-Z of all the composers we’ve
featured on Composer of the Week here:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/3cjHdZlXwL7W41XGB77X3S0/composers-a-to-z