“The company thus organized at length gives its first representation, after a month of cabals and intrigues, which furnish conversation for the town.  This is an event in the simple annals of the town, of the importance of which the residents of large places can form no idea.  During months together a population of eight or ten thousand people do nothing but discuss the merit of the forthcoming music and singers with the eager impetuosity which belongs to the Italian character and climate.  The first representation, if successful, is generally followed by twenty or thirty more of the same piece, after which the company breaks up....  From this little sketch of theatrical arrangements in Italy some idea may be formed of the life which Rossini led from 1810 to 1816.”  Between these years he visited all the principal towns, remaining three or four months at each, the idolized guest of the dilettanti of the place.  Rossini’s idleness and love of good cheer always made him procrastinate his labors till the last moment, and placed him in dilemmas from which only his fluency of composition extricated him.  His biographer says: 

“The day of performance is fast approaching, and yet he cannot resist the pressing invitations of these friends to dine with them at the tavern.  This, of course, leads to a supper, the champagne circulates freely, and the hour of morning steals on apace.  At length a compunctious visiting shoots across the mind of the truant composer.  He rises abruptly; his friends insist on seeing him home; and they parade the silent streets bareheaded, shouting in chorus whatever comes uppermost, perhaps a portion of a miserere, to the great scandal of pious Catholics tucked snugly in their beds.  At length he reaches his lodging, and shutting himself up in his chamber is, at this, to every-day mortals, most ungenial hour, visited by some of his most brilliant inspirations.  These he hastily scratches down on scraps of paper, and next morning arranges them, or, in his own phrase, instruments them, amid the renewed interruptions of his visitors.  At length the important night arrives.  The maestro takes his place at the pianoforte.  The theatre is overflowing, people having flocked to the town from ten leagues distance.  Every inn is crowded, and those unable to get other accommodations encamp around the theatre in their various vehicles.  All business is suspended, and, during the performances, the town has the appearance of a desert.  The passions, the anxieties, the very life of a whole population are centered in the theatre.”