Rossini

I have a theory that Rossini was Mozart reincarnated.

It’s not just his effortless genius.  Rossini could compose a masterpiece of an opera in a matter of two weeks!!!  But it’s his extreme sense of fun!  Rossini is pure fun!

Fresh from my recent experience of Seattle Opera’s La Cenerentola (Rossini’s version of Cinderella in opera form), my head, my ears, my heart is full of his delightful comedy expressed through the amazing score of this piece and one stellar production.

Rossini loves to do these delightfully silly ensembles when everyone in the opera is completely confused.  The music hesitates throughout – called clockwork ensembles or patter singing.  And then moves from soft and slower to louder and louder and faster and faster – i.e. his signature crescendos.

He makes a baffoon of the less-than-wonderful stepfather – both in his name (Don Magnifico – for he thinks he is, but everyone knows he isn’t) and in his music.  He is the only character who actually sings an aria with no melody*.  As our opera lecturer explained, only Rossini could do this.  The gauche stepsisters sing gauche music.  No one does gauche better than Rossini*

Dandini, the Prince’s valet, has the time of his life, disguised as the Prince.  This is his one and only chance at Princedom and he’s milking it for all it’s worth.  Just hilarious.  And the chorus reinforces the comedy throughout the opera.

If you’re up for a break from the usual gruesome drama of opera with all its love, death, betrayal and often horrific story lines, check out Rossini’s operas.  They are pure delight.  And even bless us with a happy ending. 

(*I get this wisdom from the lectures of our local opera expert.)

Photo:  Seattle Opera’s current whimsical production of La Cenerentola (Cinderella)