Termed a melodrama, or opera semiseria, Gioacchino Rossini’s 1817 opera, La gazza ladra (The Thieving Magpie) mixes the comic with the grim reality of death and an unfortunate true story. The plot of the opera is as such: a servant girl, Ninetta, is in love with her master’s son, Giannetto. Everyone wishes the two to marry except Lucia, the master’s wife, who falsely accuses Ninetta of stealing a silver spoon. However, she is unable to assert her innocence because doing so would likely reveal that her father is an army deserter. The punishment for both crimes is death. Ninetta is then faced with the choice of sacrificing herself or her father. But luckily for both, the real thief is discovered, a magpie, moments before Ninetta is to be executed at the scaffold.
As comical as it sounds, the plot of La gazza ladra is partially based in fact. There was, in fact, a servant girl executed for theft after which the purloined item was found in the nest of a magpie. The event sparked an uproar against the death penalty for theft and was in all probability well-known to Rossini’s audience.
Perhaps the most famous part of the opera is its overture, which often appears as a frequent opening number on orchestral programs. It is said that the day before La gazza ladra was to be premiered at La Scala, Milan, Rossini had yet to compose the overture and the opera’s producer was forced to lock the composer in his room till he did so. Known for his speed of writing, Rossini composed the overture that day and threw each completed page of the score out his window to his copyist, who wrote out the parts for the orchestra. The overture’s iconic opening is the ominous sound of snare drums, establishing tersely the darker overtones of the opera’s otherwise comic plot. The stately opening then gives way to one of Rossini’s typical suspense-building crescendos leading to the main body of the overture. At times dramatic, at others comic, the overture sets the tone for the entire opera.Joseph DuBose
Located in historic Round Top, Texas, The James Dick Foundation for the Performing Arts and its sole project, The International Festival-Institute at Round Top, were founded in 1971 by world-renowned concert pianist James Dick. Begun with a handful of gifted young pianists in rented space on the town square, the project is now an internationally acclaimed European-styled music institute for aspiring young musicians and distinguished faculty. Over a thirty eight year period and with the help of its patrons and friends, The James Dick Foundation for the Performing Arts has developed superb year round education and performance programs.
Classical Music | Orchestral Music
Gioachino Rossini
La Gazza Ladra (Overture) Play
Recorded on 07/01/2009, uploaded on 08/20/2009
Musician's or Publisher's Notes
Termed a melodrama, or opera semiseria, Gioacchino Rossini’s 1817 opera, La gazza ladra (The Thieving Magpie) mixes the comic with the grim reality of death and an unfortunate true story. The plot of the opera is as such: a servant girl, Ninetta, is in love with her master’s son, Giannetto. Everyone wishes the two to marry except Lucia, the master’s wife, who falsely accuses Ninetta of stealing a silver spoon. However, she is unable to assert her innocence because doing so would likely reveal that her father is an army deserter. The punishment for both crimes is death. Ninetta is then faced with the choice of sacrificing herself or her father. But luckily for both, the real thief is discovered, a magpie, moments before Ninetta is to be executed at the scaffold.
As comical as it sounds, the plot of La gazza ladra is partially based in fact. There was, in fact, a servant girl executed for theft after which the purloined item was found in the nest of a magpie. The event sparked an uproar against the death penalty for theft and was in all probability well-known to Rossini’s audience.
Perhaps the most famous part of the opera is its overture, which often appears as a frequent opening number on orchestral programs. It is said that the day before La gazza ladra was to be premiered at La Scala, Milan, Rossini had yet to compose the overture and the opera’s producer was forced to lock the composer in his room till he did so. Known for his speed of writing, Rossini composed the overture that day and threw each completed page of the score out his window to his copyist, who wrote out the parts for the orchestra. The overture’s iconic opening is the ominous sound of snare drums, establishing tersely the darker overtones of the opera’s otherwise comic plot. The stately opening then gives way to one of Rossini’s typical suspense-building crescendos leading to the main body of the overture. At times dramatic, at others comic, the overture sets the tone for the entire opera. Joseph DuBose
More music by Gioachino Rossini
From Petite Messe Solennelle: Preludio religioso, Sanctus, Salutaris Hostia, Agnus Dei
Aria di Figaro
Largo al Factotum, from The Barber of Seville
La Gazza Ladra (Overture)
La Regata Veneziana
La Danza (Tarantella), from Serate Musicali
Anzoleta avanti la regata, from La regata veneziana
La Passeggiata
La Promessa
L’invito
Performances by same musician(s)
Symphonic Minutes (Rondo: Presto)
Symphony No. 1 (Allegro)
Concerto for Piano and Orchestra No. 4, Op. 58 (Rondo Vivace)
Clarinet concerto in A Major, K. 622 (Rondo - Allegro)
Symphony No. 5 (Adagietto)
Candide (Overture)
Symphony No. 6 (Scherzo)
Symphony No. 5 in c minor, Op.67 (Allegro)
Concerto for Horn and Orchestra (Adagio)
Les Preludes
Classical Music for the Internet Era™
Courtesy of The International Festival-Institute at Round Top
Located in historic Round Top, Texas, The James Dick Foundation for the Performing Arts and its sole project, The International Festival-Institute at Round Top, were founded in 1971 by world-renowned concert pianist James Dick. Begun with a handful of gifted young pianists in rented space on the town square, the project is now an internationally acclaimed European-styled music institute for aspiring young musicians and distinguished faculty. Over a thirty eight year period and with the help of its patrons and friends, The James Dick Foundation for the Performing Arts has developed superb year round education and performance programs.