Gioachino Rossini (1792-1868) was an Italian composer and one of the great masters of opera. Born in Pesaro, he achieved astonishing success while still young and dominated Italian opera before retiring from the stage at an unexpectedly early age.

His operas include Il barbiere di Siviglia, La Cenerentola, Semiramide, Guillaume Tell and many others. He also wrote sacred music, songs and piano pieces in later life.

Rossini’s music is brilliant, witty, rhythmically buoyant and vocally dazzling. His famous crescendos and comic timing reveal a theatre mind of formidable precision.

Few composers have understood momentum so well. Rossini could make an aria sparkle, a finale accelerate and an audience surrender before it knew it had been conquered.