Statue – Gioachino Rossini

Parisians, fans of the famous Italian composer Gioachino Rossini (1792-1868), were so enthusiastic about his operas that they decided to raise a statue with his image while he was still alive.

They collected twenty thousand francs and started to confer which sculptor should they hire to do it.

However, Rossini arrived at that moment and interrupted their argument with the following words:

"Give me the twenty thousand, and I'll stand on the pedestal myself!”

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Secret admirer – Gioachino Rossini

"Maestro, since I'm not able to write you what I can tell you in private, be in the theater 'La Scala' tonight, in a box number nine, during the performance of your opera. I will wait for you with impatience in my heart. Your secret admirer."

When the famous Italian composer Gioachino Rossini (1792-1868) received this letter, he immediately began to prepare himself for a date in the theater. He even put a wig to look younger.

As soon as he arrived at the theater, the theater manager told him, casually, that a beautiful lady, who just arrived in Milan, reserved the box number nine and that she is a French ambassador’s wife.

Gioachino's heart started pounding wildly. Otherwise, he was known as a man who doesn’t miss any opportunity for flirting. 

However, the curtain went up, the opera began, but no one came to the box. Rossini was sitting there, lonely and disappointed.

Finally, a doorman came and brought him an envelope. He opened it and found a letter that said:

"Maestro, His Excellency the Ambassador of France has long been a widower. So tonight, you'll be alone in the box. Your eternal admirer – April Fool’s joke. "

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Much Better!

When a friend of Gioacchino Rossini (1792-1868) came to visit this famous opera composer, he found him, as usual - playing the piano.

Rossini's friend, who was  a conductor, was surprised when he saw that on the piano was the score of Wagner's opera "Tannhauser", but turned upside down.

"Maestro, how is it that you play with the notes turned upside down," asked the conductor.

"I tried it in another way, but it sounded terrible. Now I have turned them upside down. This way it is much bearable! ", cheerfully replied Rossini.

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