Gioacchino Antonio Rossini was born in Pesaro, Italy on February 29, 1792. Gioacchino’s parents began his musical training at a very young age. Both of his parents were musically proficient, his father a master of several instruments, and his mother a vocal talent, giving him constant musical instruction. By the age of six young Gioacchino was playing triangle in his father’s band while at the same time taking up piano and vocal lessons.

At the age of 14 he entered Bologna’s Philharmonic School and composed his first opera seria—Demetrio e Polibio—for the Mombelli, a family of singers. At 15 he had learned the violin, horn, and harpsichord and had often sung in public, even in the theatre, to earn some money. When his voice broke and he was unable to continue singing, Rossini became an accompanist and composer, switching his role from performing to mainly composing.

Though he was known mainly for his works in the opera, Rossini composed many pieces of chamber music, as well as instrumental pieces for piano. Some of his most prominent works include ones you may know very easily by ear due to their use in modern day movies. His first successes were at Venice and Milan. In 1813 he wrote “Tancredi”, the first of his operas which, with “L’Italiana in Algeri”, became celebrated throughout Europe. In 1816 and 1817 he composed for the Teatro Valle at Rome his happiest, if not his greatest work, “The Barber of Seville” and “Cenerentola”.

Rossini composed up till the end of his life, his last opera work “William Tell” was composed 1829 in Paris, France. After 1832 his health was poor, and he composed little until the series of piano pieces and songs collected as Sins of My Old Age (1868). He died later that same year.

Today's Sound Bite features Rossini's William Tell Overture.

I have no doubt that you and your children will recognize a famous portion of this piece of music, and will be delighted by it! Jump to 8:16 for the part you know and love.

This performance is by an amazing high school orchestra!

Length: 12 minutes