Gioachino Rossini, pesarese

Rossini was born in a tall brick house

To the town bugler and his singing spouse.

The boy was musical, he had no choice:

His mother had a fine soprano voice

And he often heard his dad's bugle go

In the narrow streets of Pesaro.

Beethoven praised the humorous skill

Of the sparkling Barber of Seville .

At the top of his artistic power

He retired to an ivory tower

Half valetudinarian half gourmet

And musical dictator of the day .

(Lamberto Bozzi)