2/5. Rossini moved to Naples, then the capital of the operatic world, where he met the woman who became his own personal prima donna - Isabella Col bran, later Mrs Rossini. And in Vienna he encountered Beethoven, who told him to stick to comedy. Happily for posterity, Rossini respectfully ignored the advice. Today's programme includes excerpts from his tragic masterpiece Ermione, which Rossini liked to call his little William Tell.
Rossini Ermione (excerpts)
Prague Philharmonic Chorus, Monte Carlo PO, conductor Claudio Scimone Repeated at 8.45pm