Lots of Barbers

Rossini fever sweeps Europe.

Gioachino Rossini, born in Italy in 1792, began writing music at the age of 12. His first opera was performed when he was 18 and he wrote 37 more in the span of 20 years. Then, at the peak of his fame, the composer suddenly disappeared from the public eye. What led him to this moment? This week, Donald Macleod traces Rossini's career, from his humble beginnings as the son of a horn player, learning to write music in order to support his family, to travelling the world and rubbing shoulders with royalty. We'll hear the truth behind his mysterious retirement and discover what made him return to composing, at the very end of his life.

In today's programme, Rossini finds the city that had been the source of his creative energy now seems to be turning on him. Donald follows the composer on his escape from Naples, to Vienna, Paris and London.

Mosè in Egitto
No. 24 Recitativo: "Eccone in salvo, o figli”
Ruggero Raimondi, bass (Mosè)
Ambrosian Opera Chorus & Philharmonia Orchestra
Claudio Scimone, conductor

Mosè in Egitto
No. 25 Preghiera: "Dal tuo stellato soglio”; "Ma qual fragor!”; "Son fuggiti! Oh ciel, che miro!”
Ruggero Raimondi, bass (Mosè)
Ambrosian Opera Chorus & Philharmonia Orchestra
Claudio Scimone, conductor

Ermione
Overture
Ambrosian Singers
Academy of St Martin in the Fields
Sir Neville Marriner, conductor

Semiramide
"Serena e vaghi rai"; "Bel raggio lusinghier"; "Dolce pensiero"; "Mitrane! E che rechi?"; “Serbami ognor”; "Alle più calde immagini"
Joan Sutherland, soprano (Semiramide)
Marilyn Horne, mezzo-soprano (Arsace)
London Symphony Orchestra
Richard Bonynge, conductor

Le siège de Corinthe
Overture
Camerata Bach Choir
Poznań & Virtuosi Brunensis
Jean-Luc Tingaud, conductor