Download Gioacchino Rossini 1792-1868

Gioacchino Rossini 1792-1868
I. Background
A. Rossini is the leading opera composer of the first half of the 19th century.
B. He is preceded by the Opera Comique composers Cherubini (much admired
by Beethoven) and Mehul (who pioneered the “reminiscence” motive which
was later adopted by Weber), Spontini and Auber.
C. At the Grand Opera in Paris, the leading composers were Meyerbeer and
Halevy. The principal librettist of the Grand Opera was Scribe.
II. Works (general)
A. 30 operas
B. Sacred music, especially a Stabat Mater (1832, 1841) which was specifically
forbidden by Pope Pius X in the papal encyclical Motu proprio.
C. Chamber music and piano music, especially later in life
II. Chronology of career
A. Born into a family of musicians from Pesaro
B. Father was a trumpeter, mother a singer
C. Rossini began his training early
D. Father was arrested for his sympathies for the French when he welcomed
Napoleon’s army into Northern Italy
E. Mother fled with the child and began singing lead roles in operas
F. Rossini was poorly trained by Prinetti, but later studied with Angelo Tesei
G. Later, Rossini enrolled in the Bologna Conservatorio when he learned cello
and studied under Mattei
H. Started in Venice, and quickly had operas produced in Bologna, Rome and
Milan.
I. 1813-Tancredi (early success)
J. 1815-Elisabetta regina d’Inglilterra. The overture to this opera was later used
for Barber of Seville
K. 1813-married Isabella Colbran (1785-1845). Colbran was an opera singer.
Colbran took the leading part in “Elisabetta”.
L. 1816--Almaviva (Barber of Seville), based on Beaumarchais’s play (1782).
The libretto was by Sterbini and had already been used by Paisiello. The
older composer’s admirers were angered over the younger composer’s use of
the libretto, and there were disasters at the opening night. However, the
operas was a success and quickly overshadowed the older work. The original
title (Almaviva) was transferred to Rossini’s work, where it stuck. “Barber of
Seville” is, essentially, the “prequel” to Mozart’s great opera “The Marriage
of Figaro”.
M. 1815-1823—Rossini produced 20 operas including an Othello, Cinderella,
Moses in Egypt, and others.
N. 1817—Cenerentola
O. 1823—Semiramide
Rossini and his wife relocate to Paris in 1823, where he becomes the music director of
the Theatre-Italien.
 1818--Moses in Egypt
 1829--Guillaume Tell—libretto by Etienne Jouy and Hippolyte Bis, later revised
by Marrast.
After about 1830, Rossini stops composing opera. Many theories have been advanced.
(Manic depression, marital problems, health). He was legally separated from Colbran in
1837 (she died in 1845) and he later married Olympe Pellsier. He did not stop
composing entirely. Later works include a Stabat Mater. His name is associated with
many great singers of the day, including Tamburini, Rubini, Albani, Grisi and Patti.
Marietta Alboni was his pupil.