Hey Kids, Meet Gioachino Antonio Rossini | Composer Biography

from the Hey Kid's Meet the Composer Index

Gioachino Antonio Rossini was born in Pesaro, Italy on February 29, 1792 into a family of musicians. Gioachino's parents began his musical training at a young age. At the age of six, he was playing the triangle in his father's band.

Antonio's father made a bad choice and had to go to jail. His mother, as a result, decided to move her family to Bologna to support them as an opera singer. As a child, Antonio performed as an apprentice opera performer, and later entered the Conservatory of Bologna to study cello and composition. Because he was so taken by the music of Mozart his classmates referred to him as "the little German."

By the early 1820s Rossini had been appointed the Director of the San Carlo Theater in Naples. During his 19 years in this position, he wrote 36 operas that are full of humor and beautiful melodies. Then suddenly he stopped writing music. For the next 40 years of his life, he did not compose at all.

Rossini died on November 13, 1868. His most successful and best-known works include his operas, The Barber of Seville completed at the age of 18, and William Tell, his final opera.

Watch a Video

Watch a performance of Rossini's William Tell Overture.

Print Related Resources for Gioachino Antonio Rossini

Free Piano Sheet Music

Overture to William Tell Easy Piano Sheet Music/Level 2
Barber of Seville Easy Piano Sheet Music/Level 4

Free Online Piano Lesson for Kids

William Tell Overture | Beginner Piano Lesson for Kids

Free Clarinet Sheet Music

Overture to William Tell Easy Clarinet Sheet Music

Free Trumpet Sheet Music

Overture to William Tell Easy Trumpet Sheet Music

Soprano Recorder Sheet Music

William Tell Overture Soprano Recorder Sheet Music

Hey Kids, Meet the Composer Worksheets and Games (Famous Composers)

Gioachino Antonio Rossini | Word Search Worksheet
Gioachino Antonio Rossini | Coloring Page
Meet the Composer Job Application Worksheet
Beethoven at Bat™ | Music Composer Board Game (Digital Print)

Bulletin Board Posters for Rossini

Rossini | Composer of the Month Bulletin Board Pack

Music Lesson Plans for Rossini

Rossini | Composer of the Month Music Lesson Plan Bundle
William Tell Overture (Rossini) | Music Lesson Plan and Listening Map