Important Italian composer (1792–1868) who became one of the seminal figures in the history of opera with such repertoire staples as The Barber of Seville and William Tell. Vintage matte-finish 2.25 x 3.5 photo of the composer affixed to a 4.25 x 6 souvenir card from the 500th performance of William Tell, dated February 10, 1868, signed at the bottom of the card in black ink, “G. Rossini,” and inscribed in an unknown hand, “A Mme. Londine.” A few corner tip dings and creases, light overall toning, and silvering to dark areas of the image, otherwise fine condition. The performance took place at the Paris Opera, where the performers presented Rossini with a gold laurel wreath and a bust of the composer was revealed in the theater's vestibule. A fantastic souvenir from a historic performance. RR Auction COA.
