G Rossini
(1792 - 1868)
Italian
Primarily a composer of Italian Opera, Rossini wrote many enduring works such as The Barber of Seville and La Cenerentola. His light-hearted yet lyrical melodies, coloratura vocal writing and cheeky orchestration which feature in his comic operas are what he is most remembered for, and these operas are still some of the most performed in the world. Of his later, more serious works it is only the overtures which remain in the repertoire, most famously that of Guillaume Tell.