Gioacchino RossiniWorld History

Suzie Kim

Gioacchino Rossini

Gioacchino Rossini

Robust Italian man with an outgoing personality

Was a lazy man, fond of woman, and a very skilled cook

Ex) modern restaurants exist in Rossini’s name

Liked to host dinner parties for his friends among whom was Franz Liszt, another famous composer; had fun teasing and playing tricks on his friends.

Such characteristics had a great impact and influence on his music

considered to be the last and greatest composer of comic opera in the buffo style

BiographyBorn in February 29, 1792 in a small town Pesaro on the east

coast of Italy

Father as a horn-player and a singer mother allowed him to

have direct experience of operatic performance as a

young boy

At age 15, entered a music school in Bolgna, Italy where he learned how to composed

music

Biography

At age 18, first successful composition was completed in Venice, “La Cambiale di Matrimonio”, which was the head start of his operatic career

His masterpiece, “The Barber of Seville” was first performed in Rome, Italy when he was only 24 years of age

His final opera, “William Tell” was staged in 1829 which was famous for his overture, storm scenes, and ballet music

The revolution of 1830 put an end to French royal commissions for the theatre and Rossini returned to Italy; continued to enjoy considerable esteem, he stopped composing, partly due to his bad health

He returned to Paris in 1855 and began to compose again, writing a number of piano works and ensembles, many of which were performed at Rossini’s "Samedi Soirs".

WorksRossini has in total three dozen or so operas ------

Il Barbiere di Siviglia (The Barber of Seville) is probably the best known, a treatment of the first play of the Figaro trilogy by Beaumarchais on which Mozart had drawn thirty years before in Vienna

Other well known comic operas -----

La Scala di Seta (The Silken Ladder)

Il Signor Bruschino

L'Italiana in Algeri (The Italian Girl in Algiers)

Il Turco in Italia (The Turk in Italy)

La Cenerentola (Cinderella)

La Gazza ladra (The Thieving Magpie)

More serious subjects were tackled in Otello, Semiramide, Mose in Egitto (Moses in Egypt) and the French Guillaume Tell (William Tell), based on the play by Schiller. The Overtures to many of these operas are a recurrent element in the repertoire of the concert-hall.

Barber of Seville

http://www.karadar.com/Midi/rossini_barbiere_overture.mid

Considered one of the most popular comic opera of all time; enjoyed European popularity for over a quarter of a century

based on the first of a trilogy of plays written by french author Beaumarchais, Le Barbier de Séville.

Barber of Seville

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Jv3lL6imzU

http://kr.youtube.com/watch?v=ytpSHcMXfV8

Barber of Seville

Summary

The ardent Count Almaviva has fallen in love with Rosina, the pretty ward of Doctor Bartolo, who wants to marry her himself. So far, Almaviva is known to her only under the assumed name of Lindoro. After a serenade and an exchange of letters, he disguises himself as a tipsy dragoon, and manages to get into Bartolo’s house by aid of the factotum Figaro. But his strategy is foiled by the entrance of the guard, who arrest the would-be wooer and carry him to gaol.

In the second Act he appears as Deputy for Basilio, the singing-master, said to be sick. In order, however, to gain the suspicious Bartolo’s confidence, he produces one Rosina’s letters to himself, declaring that it was given him by a mistress of Almaviva. Bartolo thinks he will inflame Rosina’s jealousy by telling the scandal to Rosina, whose disappointment nearly frustrates Almaviva’s deep-laid schemes.

Happily, Almaviva secures an interview with Rosina, convinces her of his constancy, and induces her to elope before Bartolo discovers the trick that has been played upon him.

The Thieving Magpie

http://www.karadar.com/Midi/rossini_gazza_overture.mid

Influention to the Society

The comic operas of Rossini was able to give a sign of humor, and laugh to the public

Especially “Barber of Seville” was loved by many opera audiences for centuries

Was the start of “buffo” style comic opera performances of the music

Bibliography

"Gioacchino Rossini." ppbWiki: Main, HomePage browse. 3 Dec. 2008 http://w3.rz-berlin.mpg.de/cmp/rossini.html.

"Gioachino Rossini Biography. Listen to Classical Music by Gioachino Rossini." Classical Music - Streaming Classical Music. 3 Dec. 2008 <http://www.naxos.com/composeri

"- Classical Music Dictionary - Free MP3 ." Home page. 3 Dec. 2008 <http://www.karadar.com/Dictionary/rossini.html>.