t rad i t i o ns
The Composer of Pesaro Rossini is celebrated in his hometown B y S amantha B lee While the stories of most composers are only available in old texts, Gioachino Rossini’s legacy is still accessible in the busy Adriatic beach town of Pesaro, where he was born. Whether you’d like to catch a performance of one of his famous operas, or simply to walk through the rooms of his childhood, here is a place to connect.
The Rossini Opera Festival takes place for three weeks each August. Schedule: http://www.rossinioperafestival.it/ Tickets: Biglietteria del Festival Via Rossini 24, I-61121 Pesaro. Tel: 0721.3800294/ Fax: 0721.3800220 e-mail: boxoffice@ rossinioperafestival.it
Imagine your favorite episode of “The Lone Ranger,” or perhaps a hectic chase scene in a familiar movie. What melody floats into your head? A wordless, familiar composition that you can’t quite name? Chances are, you’re thinking of Rossini’s “Guillaume (William) Tell Overture.” “The Barber of Seville” has also worked its way into several familiar movies. Though Rossini, born here in 1792, wrote most of his noteworthy pieces between 1810 and 1829, certain songs are still used in pop culture. Pesaro has built several historical sites to commemorate its native son, such as Teatro Rossini (restored in 2002) and Casa Rossini, the house where the composer was born. There’s also a two-week Rossini Opera Festival each August. In Casa Rossini, you can learn the story of the composer’s life, via a collection of over 100 prints given to the Pesaro town council. Donated by Parisian collector Alphonse Hubert at the end of the 19th century, the prints portray some of the most acclaimed singers of Rossini’s time, including Adelina Patti wearing her costume for a performance of “The Barber of Seville.” In the house you can find rare artifacts, such as the pianoforte Rossini practiced on as a child, and books of handwritten music. Pesaro also celebrates Rossini with live performances of the composer’s great works, during the Rossini Opera Festival. The festival - the only international event entirely devoted to Rossini - was established in 1980 by Pesaro’s municipal government. In addition to classic Rossini titles, the program also revives many forgotten operas, such as “The Death of Dido” and “The Wedding of Thetis and Peleus.”
Photo By Scott Burry
Urbino View ‘10-’11
10
“The most popular events are the stage shows,” said Pesaro cultural representative Giulio Oliva. “But there are also concerts, exhibitions, speeches, and other events.” The “Young Festival” is especially popular. This portion of the festival gives young musicians a chance to play Rossini pieces, and to show off their own compositions. “There are probably more foreigners than Italians, and they usually book tickets one year in advance,” Oliva said. The festival is especially popular among the Japanese. The Rossini Festival has developed into one of Pesaro’s biggest events, and a valuable one for the city. v