Rossini is one of the great operatic composers and a major innovator in the field of serious and comic operas. Moise et Pharaon is a score which he revised for Paris ten years after it had been composed for Naples; the result shows the evolution of his dramatic taste over a crucial decade - from the neo-classical sublime to spectacular Romantic grand opera. Il barbiere di Siviglia has been a consistent favourite with the public and performers since it opened, and Marco Spada analyses how its stylish comedy has been misunderstood. Other essays throw light on the working conditions of the 'opera industry' in Rossini's Italy, on Balzac's delightful novel concerning Moise and on the exceptional challenge of performing this type of music to a high standard.