The Sun.
London, England, 1824-01-01 00:00:00

SIGNOR GIACCHINO ROSSINI.

(From La Belle Assembles, for Jannarg, 1824.)
GIACCUINO Rossriet, the most celebrated musical corn..
poser in Europe, was born at Perara, a small town in the Papal
States, on the 29th1 February, 1792. His parents belonged to
the theatrical profession : his father was a third-rate performer
on the French horn, and his mother an indifferent seconds
donna. They were in the habit of procuring a poor subsistence
by frequenting the different fairs which are annually held in
the -Papal States. It was not until he had reached his twelfth
year. that Rossini began to study music, under the instructions
of one Angelo Tesei, at Bologna. He continued to sing about
in churches for a few Paoli until 1807, when he entered the
Lyceum at Bologna. He had already been distinguished for
the vivacity of his manners, the beauty of his person, his skill
in music, and the excellence of his soprano. In the Lyceum
he received lessons from Father Stanislao Mattei, and within
the first year he was able to produce his earliest musical com-
positions, a symphony, and a cantata called " II Piano d'Ar-
monia." Immediately afterwards, he was elected a Director
of the Conccrdi, a musical society at Bologna. His talents
soon displayed themselves in several minor compositions, but
it was not until the year 1812 that he produced at Venice his
first grand opera " l'lnganno Felice." It was at Venice like-
wise that he brought out, in 1813, during the Carnival,
" Tancredi," perhaps the best of all his pieces. Its success
was beyond all parallel, and his reputation instantly spread
over Europe, and procured for him the praise of being one of
the most spirited, gay, and graceful of all living composers.
In the same year Rossini proceeded to Milan, and at the age
of twenty-one composed, for the theatre La Scala, " La Pietra
del Paragona," which his biographer (M. de Stendhal) pro-
nounces his chef-d'cuvre, in the bqra style. Such was the dis-
tinction his genius had Obtained, that he was exempted from
the severity of the conscription laws by the express interference
of the Viceroy of Italy.
From this period Rossini continued to compose five or six
operas annually ; and visited in succession the principal
theatres in Italy. His remuneration was generally about 800
or 1,000 francs for each opera. As this biography will con-
clude with a notice of all his operas, according to the date of
their composition, we shall avoid mentioning them here in the
order of their production.
The great fame of Rossini at length excited a wish amongst
the musical amateurs of Naples, that he should visit that cele-
brated haunt of Apollo. He was engaged by the manager of
San Carlo for a certain number of years, at 12,000 francs per
annum, to compose two 'operas in each year, and to arrange the
music of the two great theatres of that capital. " Elisabetta
Regina d'Enghilterra" was his first production, and it suc-
ceeded in the most brilliant manner. The style of Rossini now
underwent a considerable change. He had hitherto been re-
markable for the simplicity and beauty of his melodies, but he
now turned to a more complicated system of composition, and
resorted to all kinds of instrumental aid by falling into the
German style of harmony. This arose from the necessity he
was under of consulting the feeble and failing voice of Made-
moiselle Colbrand.

During his Neapolitan engagement, Rossini composed seve-
ral operas for the theatres of Rome and Milan. Amongst these
were "11 Barbiere di Siviglia," La Cenerentola," and "La
thzza Ladra." At Naples he brought out " Otello," " Noise"
(played in London as " Peter the Hermit") " La Donna del
Lago," &c. &c.
It was in the year 1822 that Rossini married Mademoiselle
Colbrand, the prima donna, at Naples; the lady to whose voice
he had accommodated all his music for some years preltious,
and whose influence had effected so great and injurious a change
in his style. Rossini was always remarkable for the beauty of
his person, and has ever been a favourite with the fair sex.
His disposition is kind, and good-humoured and gay ; amidst
all his indolence and nonchalance, he has never shewn a want
of friendship and liberality.
The style of his music is rapid, brilliant, and sweet. Its
gteat fault is the want of sentiment. It is in this respect that
Mozart is so much his superior. More recently Rossini has
fallen into a careless manner, and is constantly repeating him-
self. His genius seems to be impoverished through the want
of exertion.

The following is a correct list of his various operas. We
must omit his minor compositions :-1. " Demetrio e Polibio,"
1809, at Rome-2. "La Cambiale di Matrimonio " 1810, Ve-
nice-3. " L'EquivocoStravagante," 1811, Bologna-4. "L'ln-
ganno Felice," 1812, Venice-5. " Ciro in Babilonia (oratorio)
1812, Ferrara-6. "La Scala di Selte " 1812, Venice-7. "La
Pietra del Paragone," 1812, Milan-81 L'occasione fa it ladro,"
1812, Venice-9. "II Figlio par Azzardo," 1813, Venice-
-10. " Tancredi," 1813, Venice-11. " L'ltaliana in Algen,"
1813, Venice-12. " Aureliano in Palmira," 1814, Milan-
-13. "11 Turco in Italia," 1814, Milan-14. " Sigismondo,"
1814, Venice-15. " Elisabetta," 1815, Naples-16. " Tor-
valdo e Dorlisca " 1816, Rome-17. "11 Barbiers di Siviglia,"
1816, Rome-18. "La Gazetta," 1816, Naples-19. " L'Otel-
lo' " 1316, Naples-20. "La Cenerentola, ' 1817, Rome-21.
" La Gazza Ladra," 1817, " Armida," 1817,
Naples-23. " Adelaide di Borgogna' " 1818, Rome-24.
" Adiria o Sia it CalifFo di Bagdad," 1818, Lisbon-25. " Mose
in Egitto," 1818, Naples —26. " Riniardo e Zoraide," 1818,
Naples-27. " Ermione," 1819, Naples-28. " Edvardo e
Cristina," 1819, Venice-29. "La Donna del Lago," 1819,
Naples-30. " Bianca e Faliero," 1820, Milin-31. " Mao-
metto Secondo," 1820, Naples-32. " Matilda di Shabran,"
1821, Rome-33. " Zelmira," 1822, Naples-34. " Semira-
mide," 1823, Venice.

We omitted noticing the arrival of the Earl of COVENTRY
and family last week in town, after festive enjoyments which
were partaken by the Duke of GLOUCESTER, and many dis-
tinguished visitors, and after the liberal Earl had abundantly
extended his hospitality to the poor of his neighbourhood.

POETRY.

THE WINTER NIGHT.
I pity those with no resource

Of mind when irksome nights are long,
To occupy Time's tedious course,
Ev'n were it only song.
Tho' some at balls may bear the bell,
In cards whilst others take delight,
How dull, when storms and billows swell,
To them th' unsocial Minter Night !

Not thus it fares with Genius' Son—
His pleasures flow from Nature's page
The closing year--the year begun,
His fond attention still engage.
To him the storm is music sweet—
en fancy's wing he takes his flight,
Bright Summer's rosy morn to greet,
Or dreary Winter's gloomy night.

The cloudless sun that lights his soul,
And cheers his progress with its ray,
Resists misfortune's stern centroul,
And drives intrusive Care away.
Time's changes thus he calmly scans,
Whilst others view them with affright :
Pursues his intellectual plans,
And wisely spends the Mater Night.
December, 1822.

PION MOUNTAINS IN MISSOURI.

ST. Lours, OCT. 6.—This place is in Wash-
ington County, in this State, and is the most extraordi-
nary store of iron ore that has yet been discovered in
any country. It would not probably be transcending
the limits of truth to say, that it would supply the world
with this useful mineral for a long period of time. In
appearance it bears a good resemblance to native iron,
and would yield, on fusion, 80, or perhaps 90 per cent.--
There are other places that have been denominated iron moun-
tains, such as that of Trabcrg in Poland, and two, the names
of which we do not recollect, that have been discovered Lap-
land ; but none of these can be compared with the mountains
of Missouri, neither in point of magnitude nor in quality of ore.
It is a matter of astonishment that no foundry has yet been
established convenient to this place- In its neighbourhood are
many valuable mills, and there is evidently no want of water
Power, for the application of machinery, even of the largest
construction. As there are few individuals who could command
the capital necessary to be employed in this business, it would,
perhaps, require a company to carry into effectual execution an
enterprise of so much importance, and which could not fail
of being amply productive. Of the success that would at-
tend it, there cannot exist a doubt, and it is thought by many
intelligent persons, that iron, castings, &c. might beexported ad.
vantageously even to places where they are now manufactured.
The peculiar quality of the iron, of which this section of the
country is the depository, is also worthy of attention. At a
Bloomery, erected by Messrs. Peery and Ruggles, iron
is produced of a quality greatly superior to any that
can be imported, and is preferred by smiths, because

it is worked with greater facility, and is found to pos_
secs, in a very high degree, the properties of steel.__
Axes, ploughs, irons, and other implements of husbandry,
made of this iron, without any addition of steel, are found
nearly equal to those formed in the ordinary way. The
iron zeOuntain is frevently visited by the curious traveller,
and by those who have contemplated drawing on its vast store
of wealth, and at length it is stated, a foundry and other
works calculated to bring into operation the mineral resources
of this district, are about to, be erected. We do not vouch for
the truth of thii statement, but a better prospect for the invest.
merit of capital is but seldom presented.

THEATRICAL DISAPPOINTMENT. - (Extensive
Robbery.)--The Olympic Theatre was last night
unexpectedly closed, in consequence (it is said)
of soma dispute between Mr. ELLIsTox, the
Lessee, and the Managers, relative to some pe-
cuniary matters, and the crowd opposite the
Theatre received an announcement " That
there would be no performances that night,"
and they were obliged to disperse much dis-
appointed. On the doors being opened a
great rush was made and a Gentleman was
robbed of his pocket book, containing 1680/.,
He immediately proceeded to Bove-street and.
laid information of the robbery, but he was
not aware of the numbers of the notes. He re-
ceived every advice, and proceeded to the Bank
of England, where little hopes were given as to
the recovery of the property. He had come from
Leicestershire that day (where he is a farmer) to
receive the money, and snake some purchases,
and was the whole of his property. He was
almost in a state bordering upon madness. The
Theatre, it is expected, will shortly be opened
(probably to-night), when the unpleasant affairs
between the parties will be arranged.
Mr. MACREADY is now performing at Exeter
with great success. The Theatrical Company
at that place, which is under the management of
Mr. ButiluroN, has received the addition of Miss
F. BRUNTON,Mr. Y,MCSSrS. Hl:3l)AktD,
BARNARD, and 147,ILLIA:s3s.

ANCIENT CASTLES.- to the Public
Records' Commissioners',dissertations on Domes-
day, of forty-nine Castles mentioned in that sur-
rey, one only (Arundel) is noticed as existing in
the time of EDWARD the CONYESSOR. Eight are
known, either on the authority .of Domesday, or
our old historians, to have been built by the CON.
QuEttoft himself. Ten are entered as erected
by greater Barons ; and one, by an under-
tenant to Earl ROGER. Eleven more, of whose
builders we have no particular account, are no-
ticed in the Survey, either expressly or by in-
ference, as new. It is singular that the ruins
which are now remaining of all these Castles,
have preserved one feature of uniformity. They
are each distinguished by a Mount and Keep :
marking the pecnliar style of architecture intro-
duced in our Castellated Fortifications by the
Normans at their first settlement. The Castles
of Dover, Nottingham, and Durham, known
to hive been built by the CONQUEROR, with
the White Tower in the Tower of London, are
noticed in the Survey. The walled Towns and
Cities noticed in the Survey, are fewer than the
Castles. Canterbury, Nottingham, and York,
appear each to have been surrounded with a foss.
Oxford, Hereford, Leicester, Stafford, Chester,
Lincoln, and Colchester, are noticed as walled
Towns and Burghs.