Gioachino Rossini was born in Pesaro, Italy, on February 29, 1792, and died in Passy, France, on November 13, 1868.  The first performance of the opera Il signor Bruschino took place at the Teatro San Moisè in Venice, Italy, on January 27, 1813. The Overture to Il signor Bruschino is scored for flute, two oboes, two clarinets, bassoon, two horns, an strings. Approximate performance time is five minutes.

Il signor Bruschino is a one-act comic opera (farsa giocosa). It was the last in a series of five such operas Gioachino Rossini composed for Venice’s Teatro San Moisè. The libretto, by Giuseppe Foppa, is based upon the French play Le fils par hasard (The Son by Chance). Florville is in love with Gaudenzio’s ward Sofia. But Gaudenzio has promised Sofia in marriage to the son of one Signor Bruschino. By impersonating the younger Bruschino, Florville is able to wed Sofia; and of course, all ends happily. The opera’s sparkling Overture includes the delightful effect of the second violins tapping their bows on the music stands.

Program notes by Ken Meltzer