Two eminent Italians, separated in time by 50 years, share February as the month of their birth: the cellist and composer Luigi Boccherini (pictured here) and the composer of Italian bel canto opera, Gioachino Rossini. Born in Lucca, Italy, Boccherini was a contemporary of Mozart and Haydn. However, he had to travel to Spain before he found a patron in the younger brother of the king of Spain. He spent most of his productive life in Spain, out of the mainstream of the musical establishment of Europe. However, his music is gracious, melodic, and often reflects the influences of the sounds of his adopted country. Rossini is best known for his overtures and the opera, "The Barber of Seville". Though he composed many other operas that were incredibly successful in his day, others are only occasionally still performed. Still, his music is catchy, always tuneful, and has a compelling, irresistible rhythmic drive. Today's show includes the famous aria by Figaro and the overture to William Tell (think Lone Ranger!). Also on the programme are pieces by Borodin (Strangers in Paradise), Johann Strauss, a.k.a., the Waltz King, Respighi, and Chopin, and a beautiful sonata for piano and violin by Beethoven
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