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One of the legends which grew up about Rossini was the amazing speed with which he could complete an entire opera - two weeks in one case, eleven days in another. Overtures were habitually produced at the last minute, testing the nerves of theatre impresarios as the first night loomed. According to legend, one Neapolitan impresario resorted to desperate measures, locking Rossini up in an attic with a plate of macaroni, with four burly stagehands standing guard and ready to run with the music, as it emerged, sheet by sheet, to the copyists. Donald Macleod focuses on Rossini's later operas, including William Tell, his final opera before his "great renunciation".

Rossini: La Cenerentola ("Signore, una parole...")
Cecilia Bartoli, mezzo-soprano (Cenerentola)
Orchestra and Chorus of Teatro Communale di Bologna, conducted by Riccardo Chailly

Rossini: Maometto II ("Ah! Che invan su questo ciglio")
Cecilia Bartoli, mezzo-soprano (Anna)
Orchestra of Teatro la Fenice, conducted by Ion Marin

Rossini: Semiramide, Overture
Orchestra del Teatro Comunale di Bologna, conducted by Alberto Zedda

Rossini: Le Comte Ory ("En proie a la tristesse")
Sumi Jo, soprano (Adele)
Orchestra and Choir of L'Opera de Lyon, conducted by John-Eliot Gardiner

Rossini: William Tell, Ballet music
The Hallé Orchestra, conducted by Sir John Barbirolli.