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Rossini Gioachino Quizzes, Trivia and Puzzles

Gioachino Rossini Trivia

Gioachino Rossini Trivia Quizzes

2 Gioachino Rossini quizzes and 35 Gioachino Rossini trivia questions.

Rossini's "Il Barbiere di Siviglia" top quiz

Multiple Choice

20 Qns

A quiz about Rossini's eternally popular comic masterpiece, based on the play by Beaumarchais. Good Luck!

Average, 20 Qns, jouen58, Nov 16 21

Average
jouen58
Nov 16 21
531 plays

The Life and Works of Rossini popular trivia quiz

Multiple Choice

15 Qns

As one of the most influencial opera composers of his time, Rossini had quite an interesting life!

Average, 15 Qns, aiken, Nov 16 21

Average
aiken
Nov 16 21
659 plays

Gioachino Rossini Trivia Questions

1. The standard question when handling a famous person: when was Rossini born, and when did he die?

From Quiz The Life and Works of Rossini

Answer: 1792 - 1868

Tthe false answers are the data of Bach (1685 - 1750), Mozart (1756 - 1791) and Beethoven (1770 - 1827)!

2. Rossini's opera had been preceded by Mozart's "Le Nozze di Figaro", whose story is actually the sequel to "Barbiere". Approximately how many years had elapsed between the premiere of "Nozze" and the premiere of "Barbiere"?

From Quiz Rossini's "Il Barbiere di Siviglia"

Answer: About 30 years

"Le Nozze di Figaro" premiered in Vienna on May 1, 1786. "Il Barbiere di Siviglia" premiered in Rome on February 20, 1816.

3. Very soon, he began attempts to write an opera. How old was Rossini when he wrote his first opera, written for the opera house of Venice?

From Quiz The Life and Works of Rossini

Answer: 18

Not quite as young as Mozart, but still pretty young!

4. The Overture to "Barbiere" had been lifted from an earlier opera of Rossini's, as had the fast section of Rosina's "Una Voce Poco Fa" in Act I ("Io sono docile"). Which opera were they taken from?

From Quiz Rossini's "Il Barbiere di Siviglia"

Answer: Elisabetta, Regina d'Inghilterra

The overture had actually done double duty before "Barbiere", having been used for "Aureliano in Palmira" and "Elisabetta"; the story was that Rossini, notoriously lazy, had neglected to write an overture for "Barbiere" and at the eleventh hour quickly substituted the one from "Elisabetta", which had not been performed in some time. Rosina's "Io sono docile" was originally the cabaletta of Elisabetta's opening aria.

5. Rossini continued to write several operas each year, for the different opera houses of Italy. Almost everywhere he got great success, but in which Italian city was he initially less successful?

From Quiz The Life and Works of Rossini

Answer: Naples

Met with a lot of sceptism at first, Naples soon warmely greeted Rossini.

6. The first words of the opera are sung by the Count Almaviva's servant, who is quietly assembling a group of musicians to serenade Rosina. What is the servant's name?

From Quiz Rossini's "Il Barbiere di Siviglia"

Answer: Fiorello

In a bit of recitative (invariably cut in performance) at the end of Act I, scene 1, Fiorello complains of the difficulties of being Almaviva's servant (rather similar to Leporello's "Notte e Giorno Faticar" gripe in Mozart's "Don Giovanni"). Figaro, too, will have problems with Almaviva in the sequel.

7. After the serenade, at which Rosina fails to appear, the Count pays the musicians. They proceed to make a noisy and embarrasing scene, which Almaviva desperately tries to quiet. What is the cause of this?

From Quiz Rossini's "Il Barbiere di Siviglia"

Answer: They are excessively grateful at the Count's extreme generosity.

The musicians are delighted when Almaviva extravagantly pays them for their services and crowd around him, singing "Mille grazie! Mio Signore". The Count, angry at the commotion they are making, curses them and tries to quiet them and dismiss them. (I have seen this bit played as if the players are angry at the wages they have received and are being sarcastic when they profusely thank the Count; it works either way).

8. Guglielmo Tell, one of his more serious and longer operas, was not written for an Italian opera house. For which one was it written instead?

From Quiz The Life and Works of Rossini

Answer: Paris

While in Paris, he wrote Guglielmo Tell, a great 'Opera' whose style helped inspire Meyerbeer.

9. Almaviva, taking a page from the book of the Duke of Mantua in Verdi's "Rigoletto", is in disguise as a penniless student named Lindoro to woo Rosina. How many disguises does he assume in the opera?

From Quiz Rossini's "Il Barbiere di Siviglia"

Answer: Three

He is disguised as the student Lindoro in scene 1, in scene 2, at Figaro's urging, he impersonates a drunken soldier billeted in Bartolo's house. In the first scene of Act II, he impersonates "Don Alonso", a music teacher supposedly sent by the indisposed Don Basilio to give Rosina's daily singing lesson.

10. In 'La Gazza Ladra' the plot revolves around a theft. Who was the thief?

From Quiz The Life and Works of Rossini

Answer: a magpie

The spoon that was stolen was taken away by 'The Thieving Magpie', so again a happy ending!

11. Another charming opera is 'La Cenerentola', based on a fairy-tale. Do you know which one?

From Quiz The Life and Works of Rossini

Answer: Cinderella

12. While still in Naples, Rossini wrote an opera based on a play by Shakespeare. What play was that?

From Quiz The Life and Works of Rossini

Answer: Othello

"A Midsummer Night's Dream" was set on music by Mendelssohn and Britten, "Romeo and Juliet" by Gounod and Bellini, and "Hamlet" by Thomas.

13. Bartolo returns near the beginning of Act I, scene 2, and complains that the maid is constantly sneezing and the porter keeps falling asleep. What was the cause of this?

From Quiz Rossini's "Il Barbiere di Siviglia"

Answer: Figaro gave each the wrong medications.

The maid had insomnia and the porter had a head-cold. Figaro was supposed to provide the maid with a sleeping draught and the porter with snuff, to clear his head; he gave each one the other's medication. Undoubtedly, this was not accidental; Figaro wants the porter to be asleep at his watch and wants to be able to tell when the inquisitive and watchful maid is nearby when he talks to Rosina about Almaviva.

14. Famous for his overtures, Rossini didn't write a new one for every opera! He re-used the overture from 'Elisabetta' for a more famous opera. Which one?

From Quiz The Life and Works of Rossini

Answer: Il Barbiere di Siviglia

For "La Gazza Ladra", "Tancredi" and "Guglielmo Tell" he wrote original music.

15. At the age of 37, Rossini stopped writing music, aside from some occasional works. What did he then do to fill his days?

From Quiz The Life and Works of Rossini

Answer: Cookery and food

He spend his time with cooking (making some now famous recipes), and accordingly got very fat!

16. After Almaviva enters, pretending to be a drunken soldier stationed at the house, Bartolo once again notices Rosina dropping a letter, which the "soldier" gallantly retrieves and gives back to her. What does she claim it is, when Bartolo asks her?

From Quiz Rossini's "Il Barbiere di Siviglia"

Answer: The laundry list.

Rosina claims that it was only "la lista del bucato", the laundry list. Bartolo is not deceived and demands that she hand it over; however the wily Rosina has switched it behind her back with the laundry list, which she had on her. Bartolo is greatly chagrined when he opens it and finds that it is, indeed, the laundry list.

17. How many wives did Rossini have?

From Quiz The Life and Works of Rossini

Answer: 2

He got married twice. His first wife, Isabella Colbran, was a leading soprano in Naples. His second wife, Olympe Pélissier, tended him through his ill health.

18. In the begining of Act II, Almaviva appears, disguised as "Don Alonso", a singing teacher sent to replace Don Basilio, who he says is indisposed. What does he repeatedly do, to Bartolo's great annoyance?

From Quiz Rossini's "Il Barbiere di Siviglia"

Answer: Intones a blessing on every corner of the house.

"Don Alonso" enters singing "Pace e gioia sia con vuoi... Goia e pace per mil'anni." ("Peace and joy be with you... Joy and peace for a thousand years") He proceeds to utter this incantation in every corner af the house, driving Bartolo (whose nerves are already frayed from the previous nights experience, when the house was invaded by the police) to utter distraction.

19. Finally, in which city did Rossini die?

From Quiz The Life and Works of Rossini

Answer: Paris

He died in Paris in 1868, universally honoured!

20. After Rosina sings her aria "Contro un Cor", during the lesson scene, Bartolo proceeds to reminisce about a famous singer of his own time. Who was it?

From Quiz Rossini's "Il Barbiere di Siviglia"

Answer: Caffariello (a castrato)

Bartolo praises Rosina's voice, but declares that the aria is a terrible bore (ironically, this line is usually omitted when "Contro un Cor" is replaced by some other coloratura showpiece, which is when it would most likely be justified). He then reminisces about when Caffariello sang a certain aria, which he himself proceeds to sing (coyly substituting the name "Giannina" for "Rosina"). It ends in a minuet, which he dances with Rosina; they are interrupted by the arrival of Figaro, who imitates Bartolo's dancing.

21. In her brief aria "Il Vecciotto Cercar Moglie", the maid Berta sings about "...un mal universale, uno smania, un pizzicore, un solletico, un tormento." ("It is a universal evil, a mania, an itch, a tickle, a torment") What is she referring to?

From Quiz Rossini's "Il Barbiere di Siviglia"

Answer: Love.

Berta is decrying the constant uproar in the house, all caused by the desire of both Rosina and Bartolo to marry. She wonders "Ma, che cosa e quest' amore, che fa tutti a delirar" ("What kind of thing is this love, which makes everyone delirious?"). She then rails against it, but must admit that- "Poverina, anch'io lo sento" ("Poor me, I feel it as well"). We are not told who the object of her affection is; in many productions, it is her employer, which would make sense.

22. There is an instrumental interlude before the final scene of Act II, What does it depict?

From Quiz Rossini's "Il Barbiere di Siviglia"

Answer: A rainstorm with thunder and lightning.

The "Temporale", which uses music from the overture, depicts a rainstorm slowly gathering in force until it becomes a full-blown thunderstorm.

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