Peches D' Opera

After years of inactivity, Rossini began composing again at his retirement home in the Paris suburb of Passy. During this time, in addition to the Petite Messe solennelle, he also wrote numerous pieces for piano, singing voice and small ensembles, which he ironically called Péchés de vieillesse (Sins of Age). Many of these works were written for the musical-culinary "Samedi soirs", to which the composer also invited his friends. The present release offers a program that could have been played during a visit by Rossini's friend and horn virtuoso Eugene Vivier, so we are delighted here with chamber music and fantastic opera arrangements. The musicians performing on this release include Alessandro Denabian, a natural horn expert, mezzo-soprano Lucia Cirillo, and Francesca Bacchetta on the fortepiano.