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Lots of Barbers

As Rossini's audiences in Naples turn on the composer, he finds fame in Vienna, Paris and London. Presented by Donald Macleod.

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?"; β€œSerbami ognor”; "Alle piΓΉ 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
PoznaΕ„ & Virtuosi Brunensis
Jean-Luc Tingaud, conductor

59 minutes

Music Played

  • Gioachino Rossini

    Mose in Egitto, Act 3: Eccone in salvo, o figli

    Singer: Ruggero Raimondi. Singer: June Anderson. Singer: Sandra Browne. Choir: Ambrosian Singers. Orchestra: Philharmonia Orchestra. Conductor: Claudio Scimone.
    • DECCA : 4780149.
    • DECCA.
    • 19.
  • Gioachino Rossini

    Mose in Egitto (excerpts)

    Singer: Ruggero Raimondi. Singer: Siegmund Nimsgern. Singer: June Anderson. Singer: Ernesto Palacio. Singer: Zehava Gal. Singer: Salvatore Fisichella. Singer: Sandra Browne. Singer: Keith Lewis. Choir: Ambrosian Singers. Orchestra: Philharmonia Orchestra. Conductor: Claudio Scimone.
    • DECCA : 4780149.
    • DECCA.
    • 20.
  • Gioachino Rossini

    Ermione Overture

    Choir: Ambrosian Singers. Orchestra: Academy of St Martin in the Fields. Conductor: Neville Marriner.
    • DECCA : 473 967-2.
    • DECCA.
    • 7.
  • Gioachino Rossini

    Semiramide (excerpts)

    Singer: Joan Sutherland. Singer: Marilyn Horne. Orchestra: London Symphony Orchestra. Conductor: Richard Bonynge.
    • DECCA : 4757918.
    • Decca.
    • 1.
  • Gioachino Rossini

    Le siege de Corinthe Overture

    Choir: PoznaΕ„ Camerata Bach Choir. Ensemble: Virtuosi Brunensis. Conductor: Jean-Luc Tingaud.
    • NAXOS : 8.-660329-30.
    • NAXOS.
    • 1.

Broadcast

  • Wed 7 Jun 2023 12:00

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