Gioacchino Rossini was Italy’s dominate opera composer of the early 19th century. He wrote 35 operas over two decades (actually retiring at the age of 37 after having written his final opera, Guillaume Tell.) Most famous for his opera Il barbiere di Siviglia, the Barber of Seville, Rossini rejuvenated the art of the opera buffa and opera seria. He is credited with beginning the age of the bel canto. (or beautiful singing) Below are some of Rossini’s more important operatic works. Links will take you directly to the plot summary information for the opera.
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