Gioachino Rossini was born into an era of music-loving family. Rossini played as a kid, and at the at the age of 6 he began playing the triangle with the band of his father. Since both of his parents were opera singers, Rossini had a direct exposure to the world. He wrote his first opera, “La cambiale di matrimonio” aged 18. He composed some outstanding operas, including “La pietra del paragone ” and Il Signor Bruschino” that were noted for their outstanding musical quality. “The Barber of Seville” was his most famous work, immortalizing his name among the music enthusiasts throughout the world is considered to be his greatest work. He was a quick composer, and a prolific one too! The Barber of Seville’ was said to have been written in only twelve days. The compositions he composed demanded the dexterity from the operatic singers of his day. He was regarded as innovating and had a profound influence on generations of composers of opera. In the following article, find out more about this music master.
Childhood and Education
Gioachino Rossini was born Pesaro, Italy on February 29th 1792. The father of his son, Giuseppe had a reputation as a trumpeter from the town. He also served as an inspector for slaughterhouses. Meanwhile, his mother sang. Rossini began playing triangle with his father’s bandat at the age of 6. Rossini’s father was part of Napoleon Bonaparte’s army throughout the French Revolution, and was imprisoned after the old Austrian regime was reinstated. His mother later carried Rossini into Bologna as well as his dad accompanied them after the war. He was released in 1800.
Under the guidance by Angelo Tesei, Rossini learned piano under the supervision of Angelo Tesei. He also sang very well. He began singing solo parts in the church around the age 10. He started writing string sonatas around his age of 12. His first encounter with the theatre came in 1805 when he was an actor in Fedinando Paer’sopera “Camilla,” his first opera. Rossini wrote his opera at age fourteen years old, but it was performed around six or seven years after and was premiered as his sixth opera. When he was in 1807 Rossini joined the class for counterpoint taught by Padre P.S. Mattei after which Rossini began studying cello with Cavedagni in Bologna. He took cello lessons with ease but was not happy with the strictness in the way he was taught counterpoint by Mattei. Rossini was referred to as “il Tedeschino,” which translates to “the little German due to his love for Mozart.
The First Successful
Rossini’s very first opera’La Cambiale di matrimonio’ (The Marriage Contract) was premiered by the city of Venice the year 1810. Between 1810 and 1813, he wrote several operas while traveling through various countries such as Bologna, Rome, Venice and Milan. Composers’ careers soared to new heights after the popularity of his opera “Tancerdi” which premiered in 1813. “Tancerdi” and “L’italiana in Algeri was his first major hit and brought him international recognition at the age of just twenty. He was a well-known music director in Italy as well as continuing to compose operas, both to be performed in Milan as well as Venice. But, the popularity of “Tancerdi” raised expectations for his audience, and influenced his popularity. Therefore, he made the decision to return in Bologna around 1815. He signed an agreement in 1815 with Domenico Barbaia, the manager of the Naples theatre, to be the director of the ‘Teatro di San Carlo as well as the ‘Teatro del Fondo’. According to the agreement, Rossini was supposed to write one opera per year. The remuneration for him was 200 ducats each month. Also, he was a participant in the tables of gambling located in the theatre that amounted to approximately 1000 ducats per year. Then, in Naples, Rossini composed ‘Elisabetta Regina d’Inghilterra’ it was a huge success and included Isabella Colbran as the lead singer. She later was his bride.
The Top Of The Career Of His
Rossini’s opera, ‘Il barbiere of Siviglia’ (The Barber of Seville) was first performed on the 20 February, 1816. February 1816 in Rome. After the enormous popularity of the work his fame grew exponentially. Rossini was revered for his libretto and his acclaim was sustained for over an entire quarter century. He wrote about 20 operas between 1815-1823, including ‘Otello’, which is known for its outstanding composition. Contrary to his comedy operas, this was an serious piece. There were highs and lows in his career, with ‘La Cenerentola as well as ‘Le Barbier de Seville’ both becoming huge hits as well as ‘Mose In Egitto was a huge failure.
Marriage And Career In England
The year was 1822. Rossini got married to the famous Opera artist Isabella Colbran and moved to Vienna from Italy. The operas he performed in Vienna were well-received. Rossini returned to Bologna at the request of the Prince Metternich in order to “assist in the general restoration in harmony”. It was 1823 when Rossini made the move to England after receiving advice from the director of the ‘King’s Theater located in London. Rossini was already well-known in Paris and was made music director at the the ‘Theatre of Italy’ in the city within a year, earning an annual pay of PS800 per year. The rising fame of his work earned him the attention of Charles X, to compose five new operas over the space of one year.
Between 1824-1829, Rossini composed two comedy operas: ‘Le Comte Ory’ and ‘Guillaume Tell’ of which the second is believed to be the end of his career as an opera singer. It was a significant departure in his traditional method of writing. “Guillaume Tell,” often referred to as ‘The Overture”‘ or “William Tell Overture is an important introduction to opera, and became an example for romantic overtures of the 19 the century.
The Ende In The Life Of A Career
Following the release of ‘Guillaume Tell’ Rossini went into semi-retirement from opera, however, he continued to write cantatas as well as other songs. Following the death of his mother 1827, he decided to be with his father which brought him back to Bologna in 1829. But in 1830 the composer came back to Paris to write an opera. He composed the first six movement of his ‘Stabat Mater’, and the remaining six were written in 1832 by Giovanni Tadolin, another musician on the instruction of Rossini himself. It was a huge success as his earlier operas.
Later Years and Death
It was 1845 when Rossini’s previous bride, Isabella died and Rossini was married to Olympe Pélissier on 16 August 1846. Rossini left Bologna in 1848 due to political instability and moved to Florence. He finally settled in Paris around 1855. Rossini was a foodie , but also a cook who was an amateur when he retired after his retirement, he began cooking with passion. Today, there are numerous dishes named in his honor, including suffixes such as “alla Rossini”.
Rossini was afflicted for a long time by mental and physical ailments. He returned to the music scene delicate while his more recent compositions were designed exclusively for performances at private parties. Of the works, ‘Peches de vieillesse’ (“Sins of Old Age”) was the most notable. He died of pneumonia at 76 at his home in Passy 13 November 1868. The burial was held in the the ‘Pere lachaise Cemetery’ in Paris. In 1887 his remains were moved in the “Basilica di Santacroce of Firenze’ located in Florence.
Notable Operas
- Il barbiere di Siviglia (The Barber of Seville)
- 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 Thinning Magpie)
Church Music
- Petite Messe solennelle – composed for 12 solo voices, two pianos, and harmonium.
- Stabat mater for chorus and soloists.
