The Swan of Pesaro – Rossini reloaded

Known as “The Swan of Pesaro,” Rossini was the most popular composer of the first half of the 19th century. His highly ornate musical style revolutionized the art form, inaugurating the “Golden Century” of Italian opera. While his creative life was rather short, his success and influence was immense – Intellectual giants from Richard Wagner to Arthur Schopenhauer where amongst his admirers. In this documentary director Theo Roos explores the era of Belcanto and it's main protagonist Rossini. Together with star-tenor Juan Diego Flórez, Rossini expert Alberto Zedda, soprano Joyce DiDonato and many others, he sheds light on the complex character of a composer known to the world as musical jester while his admirers showed deepest respect for the compelling emotions, the vivid diversity and the profound depths hidden in the lightness of his music.