Chris de Souza introduces a concert from Symphony Hall, Birmingham, to mark the official 50th anniversary of Rossini's birthday (29 February 1792).

Soprano Susan Roberts, mezzo Imelda Drumm and pianist Iain Burnside perform a selection of songs and piano music from the collections which Rossini called his "sins of old age". These include Le Depart des Promis, Le Dodo des Enfants, Une Caresse a Ma Femme, Mon Prelude Hygienique du Main and La Pesca. Plus the first broadcast performance of Rossini's cantata Egle ed Irene.