1792-1868
Rossini lived a long life, yet the operas he is so well known for, only accounted for a small fraction of his lifetime.
Having recently gone through a survey of Hummel and Cherubini, both of whom lived from the Classical Era into the Romantic Era, Rossini might be the most successful Era straddler.
Whereas the two other composers I mentioned tended to exhibit the Classical Era they learned from, they were unable to bank on that success later in their careers, and failed to innovate for audiences. Essentially, they were overtaken by new trends in music despite the quality of their music.
Despite composing mostly in the Classical Era, Rossini seemed poised to initiate attributes in his operas which presages the early Romantic Era instead of holding onto the past, thus etching himself a niche into music history.
Of course, Rossini is best known for his operas. I have delved more into his large-form sacred music, but these works are very obviously written in the same style. Substitute the Italian and Latin languages, and Rossini could work his magic across genres with ease.
Recordings and reviews currently on hand (Click below to visit):
1988: Stabat Mater
1992: Sonatas for Strings, Vol. 1
1993: Choral Music (Singphoniker)
1994: Sonatas for Strings, Vol. 2
1994: Sacred Music (Brizio & Kuhn)
1994: Overtures
1995: Messa di Milano
1995: Petite Messe Solennelle
1998: Dixit Dominus
1998: Sins of Old Age
1998: Cantatas, Vol. 1
2001: Cantatas, Vol. 2
2002: Sonatas for Wind Quartet
2002: Discoveries
2006: Messa di Gloria
2012: Choral Music (SWR Vokalensemble)
2012: Overtures, Vol. 1
2013: Overtures, Vol. 2
2013: Overtures, Vol. 3
2014: Overtures, Vol. 4
2017: Overtures, Box Set
2018: Barber of Seville (1971)