Shot on location in Italy, this fascinating documentary tells the story of the greatest Italian opera composer of his day, author of the most popular of all comic operas,
The Barber of Seville, a wealthy, successful, prolific composer, who, at the age of 37, suddenly gave up writing for the stage.
This program explores the myth of Rossini's personality - bon vivant, man of the world, and celebrates the music he wrote for the stage and various organizations. It traces his life through film of the places in which he lived and worked, photographs, stage designs, his own words and those of his contemporaries as well as extensive performance excerpts from all his best-known operas and lesser known works.
Excerpts from:
Tancredi
L'Italiana in Algieri
Elisabetta, Regina d'Inghliterra
Il Barbiere di Siviglia
Messa di Gloria
La Cenerentola
Overture: La Gazza Ladra
Semiramide
Overture: Il Viaggio a Reims
Guillaume Tell
Stabat Mater
Petite Messe Solennelle
