GIOACCHINO ROSSINI

THE FAMILY Gioacchino Rossini, called “ the swan of Pesaro “, was born in Pesaro on 29th February His family was of humble origins: his father was a band player, his mother ( born in Pesaro) was a fairly good opera singer.

THE STUDIES Gioacchino left Pesaro when he was 14 years old and moved to Bologna, where he enrolled in the Conservatory to continue his studies. When he was 16 years old he composed his first successful opera: “ La Cambiale di Matrimonio””, a farce in two acts.

FAMOUS OPERAS ROSSINI won fame with the operas “ Tancredi” and “ L’Italiana in Algeri”. He became so popular and famous that the manager Barbaja engaged him for the St. Charles’s theatre in Naples. “ Tancredi “ “ L’Italiana in Algeri “

ROSSINI IN EUROPE After living and working in Vienna and London, Rossini went to Paris and became the manager at the Italian Theatre. He had his best operas represented here, among them “Guglielmo Tell”. Passy, Paris

He died in Paris where he had his residence on 13th November He was buried in the graveyard Père Lachaise, but in 1887 his mortal remains were transferred to the Basilica of Santa Croce in Florence. THE BURIAL

Several biographers described him as a lazy person, getting very easily depressed and moody, but sometimes good-humoured and a gourmet. THE CHARACTER

He composed “ Serious Operas” and “ Comic Operas “. Among them we can remember “ Il Barbiere di Siviglia”, a comic opera in two acts. Il Barbiere di Siviglia

The leading roles of this opera are: Rosina, a rich maid, the Earl of Almaviva, in love with Rosina, Figaro, the meddler barber of the town. The plot takes place in Seville. The Earl of Almaviva is in love with Rosina and would like to know and marry her. But the maid is kept prisoner by her old guardian Don Bartolo who wants Il Barbiere di Siviglia to marry her as well, but because she is rich and not because he loves her. The Earl of Almaviva asks Figaro, the factotum barber of the town, to help him conquer the maid’s heart. After several ploys and turns of events, the Earl succeeds in realizing his dream and marries the fine maid. Like all the comic operas also “Il Barbiere di Siviglia” has a happy ending. Rosina Figaro

The town of Pesaro has several vestiges of this very famous composer: His birth house, in the old town centre. The Conservatory named after him. In fact in his will Rossini designated the town of Pesaro as heir of his properties to found a Conservatory. ROSSINI IN PESARO

The statue dedicated to him from two foreign fans, which is in the garden inside the Conservatory. Rossini himself attended the unveiling of the monument in ROSSINI IN PESARO In 1818, changed the name into “ New Theatre”, where Rossini personally conducted “ La Gazza Ladra “. Only in 1885 the theatre was dedicated to him under the name of “ Rossini Theatre”. The Theatre, inaugurated in 1863 under the name of “Theatre of The Sun”.

Every year the town of Pesaro organizes the Rossini Opera Festival ( ROF ), which stages operas by this great composer, attracting lovers of music all over the world. Rossini Opera Festival