The Intimacy of the Salon: A Journey into Rossini’s Parisian Years
After Gioachino Rossini retired from the opera stage, his residences in Paris became the epicenter of exclusive musical soirées. The “Rossini à Paris” program breathes life back into this spirit. At the heart of the performance is the rare but tonally fascinating combination of guitar and fortepiano. This instrumentation was widespread in Romantic-era salons, allowing Rossini’s grand melodies to be reimagined in an intimate, chamber-music setting.
The concert explores transcriptions and original works that reflect Rossini’s unmistakable style—from witty bagatelles to virtuous arrangements of his most famous operatic arias. It is a celebration of the musical nuance, wit, and elegance that characterized Rossini’s output even after his time as an active opera composer. The Teatro Rossini, the jewel of Rossini’s birthplace, provides the perfect historical backdrop and exquisite acoustics for this journey back in time.