William Tell has been described as the foundation stone of French grand opera." (Ewen 202) it is also noteworthy that critics consider his influence to extend further than only his freshness and vital style; for example, he "… may have the credit of having grafted onto opera seria many of the more elastic conventions of opera buffa, the employment of an important bass soloist being one notable instance…" (Ewen 202) Conclusion

In conclusion, there is little doubt that Rossini produced works that are not only part of our culture and operatic repertoire, but that he was a formidable influence on music and opera in his time. As has also been suggested in the above discussion, while he was not an 'artistic revolutionary' many critics consider his work to have played an extremely significant role in the development of the Romantic Movement. Rossini's best works can therefore be considered as part of a new spirit and vitality in opera that we associate with Romanticism. As one critic notes: "Thanks to the magic of romanticism, opera became more grandiose and lush…Romanticism brought a change in subjects, tempestuous and strong romances; unstable, mad or devastated characters, and supernatural or occult elements." ( Romantic Opera) in this respect we could say with as great deal of justice that he has influenced the music and operatic styles and tastes of today.

From a more personal perspective, what appeals to me about the work of Rossini is its innovation and the sense of humor and the sense of ebullient life that it conveys. One has to however understand his work in the context of the time in which he lived and the beginnings of the Romantic ideals in all the arts. This historical aspect is one of the factors that makes studying a figure like Rossini and his work so absorbing and interesting.

Works Cited

Britannica Concise...

April 24, 2010.
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Gioachino Rossini, a towering Italian composer of the Romantic era. April 23, 2010.

Gioachino Rossini Biography (2). 26 Apr. 2010.

Gioachino Rossini Biography. April 23, 2010.

Gioachino Rossini Biography: Composer of Early 19th-Century Italian Romantic Opera. 24 April, 2010. http://italian-opera.suite101.com/article.cfm/italian_composer_gioachino_rossini

Grout, Donald Jay, and Hermine Weigel Williams. A Short History of Opera. 4th ed. New York: Columbia University Press, 2003. Questia. Web. 26 Apr. 2010.

Locke, Arthur Ware. Music and the Romantic Movement in France. London: Kegan Paul, Trench, Trubner, 1920. Questia. Web. 26 Apr. 2010.

Pistone, Daniele. Nineteenth-Century Italian Opera: From Rossini to Puccini. Trans. E. Thomas Glasow. Portland, or: Amadeus Press, 1995. Questia. Web. 26 Apr. 2010.

"Romanticism." The Columbia Encyclopedia. 6th ed. 2009. Questia. Web. 26 Apr. 2010.

Romanticism. Web. 26 Apr. 2010.

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"Rossini's la Donna del Lago." Musical Opinion May-June 2007: 45+. Questia. Web. 26 Apr. 2010.

Warrack, John, and Ewan West. The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Opera. 3rd ed. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1996. Questia. Web. 26 Apr. 2010.

There are some critics who view Rossini's contribution to the development of music in general as being minimal. However, there are many other pundits who view this contribution as extremely significant, especially with regard to his influence on French opera.