We are so lucky to have her sing for us no matter where she is!

William Tell is a long opera some say. And there are parts that are often cut. The following trio, near the end is not only sublime, but helps clarify the drama. Cutting it seems like amputation.

Paganini and Rossini had some interesting “intersections” not the least the premire of Matilde di Shabran. However Paganini’s violin works on themes by Rossini  probably did more to make Rossini known than any other contribution. Here is the legendary David Oistrakh playing the Moses Fantasy .

Luxury casting and conducting made for a memorable performance!

The only thing a Rossini opera requires to be a  box-office success is singing like this. Thankfully Sam Ramey’s Maometto has been captured ( on film that is).

An opera that has neither history nor legend on its side can still serve to give us psychological insight into characters of the past. Particularly when given an authentic Rossini interpretation as Lella Cuberli does here.

In honor of Beethoven’s birthday today we are posting the complete film devoted to the life of Rossini including the scene representing his meeting with Beethoven. It is fabulous entertainment ( if not 100% history) filmed in Rome at a very difficult time.

The American Rossini Society gets the inspiration for its logo from Figaro ( who is everywhere). So it’s fitting to feature a passage from this legendary duet on this date. No North American artists, but one singer is from Peru ( before his time!)

New York City went all out to celebrate the Rossini bicentenary. Chris Merritt was one of the artists who made it possible.

Although Rossini did not write these variations (Chopin did)  they serve to show what a master of melody he really was. James Galway does them justice.