Rossini-- Verdi's True Inspiration

Gioachino RossiniGiuseppe Verdi
"A great name has been lost to the world! His was the widest known, the most popular reputation of our time, he was the glory of Italy!" Verdi's statement upon hearing news of Rossini's death in 1868.

According to the Sac Bee's Feb. 25th 2007 pre-concert feature paper article, Verdi dedicated this 211-page vocal work to the Italian literary novelist, Alessandro Manzoni, but the true inspiration for the Requiem was actually Gioachino Rossini, the revered Italian composer best known for his operas.

Among Rossini's[1] work: the Duetto buffo di due gatti-- the Comic Duet of Two Cats featured in Our Time Fiddle dee dee CD1 Track 6! Surprise, surprise!

[1] By definition, Rossini is credited for the cats' meowing duet, but historians aren't completely certain of its authenticity.