ROSSINI, GIOACCHINO (ANTONIO)

born Feb. 29, 1792, Pesaro, Papal States died Nov. 13, 1868, Passy, near Paris, France Italian composer noted for his operas, particularly his comic operas, of which The Barber of Seville (1816), Cinderella (1817), and Semiramide (1823) are among the best known. Of his later, larger scale dramatic operas, the most widely heard is William Tell (1829). Major Works: Operas. Some 35 including La pietra del paragone (The Touchstone, first performed 1812); Tancredi (1813); L'Italiana in Algeri (The Italian Girl in Algiers, 1813); Il Turco in Italia (The Turk in Italy, 1814); Elisabetta, regina d'Inghilterra (Elizabeth, Queen of England, 1815); Il barbiere di Siviglia (The Barber of Seville, 1816); La cenerentola (Cinderella, 1817); Armida (1817); La gazza ladra (The Thieving Magpie, 1817); La donna del lago (The Lady of the Lake, 1819); Semiramide (1823); Le Sige de Corinthe (The Siege of Corinth, 1826); Mose (Moses, 1827); Guillaume Tell (William Tell, 1829). Choral music. Il viaggio a Reims (cantata with ballets, completed 1825); Stabat Mater (1832, revised 1842); Petite messe solennelle (1864). Chamber music. Five string quartets (1808). Songs. Various, among them Les Soires musicales (published 1835). Piano. Pchs de vieillesse (Sins of Old Age), about 180 pieces for piano or for various instruments, voice, and piano.