Gioachino Rossini

Gioachino Antonio Rossini (1792-1868) was an Italian composer who wrote operas, as well as some sacred music, songs, chamber music and piano pieces.

Rossini had been the most popular opera composer in history. A rapid and prolific composer, he was quoted as joking, "Give me the laundress' bill and I will even set that to music." A tendency for inspired, song-like melodies is evident throughout his scores, earning him the nickname "The Italian Mozart." Use of an exciting build up of orchestral sound over a repeated phrase—commonly known as a "Rossini crescendo"—also prompted the nickname "Signor Crescendo.”