Rossini and his age

From the encounter of Rossini and Beethoven (Vienna, 1822) and that of Rossini and Wagner (Paris, 1860), we know that whereas Beethoven praised the comic operas of Rossini, and in particular, Il barbiere di Siviglia, Wagner chose instead to admire his serious operas. Re-examination of Rossini’s career reveals a steady maturation of his scenic and dramatic abilities in both styles. In spite of the dissimilar judgments of Beethoven and Wagner, it is possible to view Rossini consistently as a transitional figure between the style of the 18th c. and the onset of Romanticism.