He was born on February 29th (a leap year) 1792 in Pesaro, Italy – off the coast of the Adriatic Sea.

Rossini is a name well-known in opera circles. Although the Italian composer wrote many songs, chamber works, and piano pieces, his 39 operas are what propelled him to fame during his time and what keeps his name alive in concert programs around the world.

He is the man behind The Barber of Seville and William Tell – both of which have parts that are often heard in movies, TV shows, and cartoons (the famous ending of the William Tell Overture is the Lone Ranger theme).

Did you also know that he wrote the bulk of his operas in only 10 years? Rossini composed 30 of his operas between 1812 and 1822.

He allegedly wrote The Barber of Seville in less than three weeks. Rossini declared he wrote his most famous opera in 12 days (phew). While it is well-loved today, it was unsuccessful when it premiered in Rome, likely due to an audience preference for an earlier adaptation of the play it was based on – a version by another composer named Giovanni Paisiello. It is said that Paisiello himself provoked the audience to openly voice their dislike. Well, the test of opera-loving time would prove Rossini the victor…

He didn’t just stick to opera buffa (or comic opera); one of his most beloved and quite dramatic pieces is Stabat Mater, first performed in Paris at the Théâtre-Italien's Salle Ventadour to a jubilant crowd who shouted his name amid the applause. Three numbers had to be repeated...and the audience left the theater moved and seized by an admiration that quickly won all Paris.

with the Scarborough Philharmonic Orchestra to another jubilant crowd, and upon reflection, TCS Artistic Director Geoffrey Butler had this to say of the performance (in a letter to members as part of the TCS Annual General Meeting): “Last season was a resounding artistic success for our choir. The final two performances, Rossini's Stabat Mater and Carmina Burana were at a standard that has never been achieved in my time as Artistic Director. I thank you all for your hard work, dedication and enthusiasm.”

TCS will endeavour to impress once again with its upcoming May 2022 performance of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s Requiem; incidentally, Rossini was a big fan of Mozart who greatly influenced him as a young composer.

(where you can find other notable names like Chopin, Molière, Jim Morrison, and Oscar Wilde). His tomb is absolutely impressive with huge wrought iron doors and a stone surround. But did you also know that his tomb in Paris is empty? At his wife Olympe’s request, his remains were relocated to the church of Sta Croce in Florence.

Perhaps on the next 2024 leap year, we can celebrate Rossini’s actual February 29th birthday in style. In the meantime, resound with any of your favorites on Monday the 28th – even if it’s just Bugs Bunny and Elmer Fudd in The Rabbit of Seville (a Looney Tunes classic).