Moïse et Pharaon

Gioachino Rossini

Gioachino Rossini (1792–1868) was the most celebrated Italian composer of his age, a master of both opera buffa and opera seria. Born in Pesaro, he penned nearly forty operas before the age of thirty-seven, including immortal works such as “Il barbiere di Siviglia,” “La Cenerentola,” and “Guillaume Tell.” “Adina, ovvero Il Califfo di Bagdad” (1818), though lesser-known, showcases all the melodic wit, rhythmic verve, and vocal brilliance that made Rossini the darling of Europe.

Rossini’s distinctive style, characterized by elegant melodies, rapid vocal passages, lively rhythms, and inventive orchestration, had a profound influence on nineteenth-century opera. His music combines theatrical energy with remarkable technical precision, allowing singers to display both virtuosity and expressive range. Even today, his operas remain staples of the international repertoire, admired for their wit, brilliance, and enduring freshness.

After retiring from the operatic stage at the height of his fame, he spent his later years in Paris as a revered cultural figure and gourmet.

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Moïse et Pharaon ou Le passage de la Mer Rouge is a grand opera in four acts by Gioachino Rossini, with a libretto by Étienne de Jouy and Luigi Balocchi, first performed in Paris in 1827. The story centres on Moses, prophet and leader of the oppressed Hebrews, who demands that the Pharaoh grant his people their freedom. Love further fuels the conflict: the Pharaoh’s son, Aménophis, is secretly in love with the young Israelite Anaï, who, however, places the faith of her forefathers above her feelings. The Pharaoh, goaded by the priests, repeatedly refuses to yield, unleashing a series of plagues upon Egypt; whilst Moses, unshakeable, leads his people, supported by his sister Maria and the faithful Éliézer, Aménophis tries in every way to keep Anaï with him, torn between passion and destiny.

In the final acts, the Pharaoh’s obstinacy yields only to the plague of darkness: permission to depart is finally granted. But Aménophis, blinded by love, joins the Egyptian army as it sets off in pursuit of the Hebrews as far as the shores of the Red Sea. Here the miracle takes place: Moses raises his staff, the waters part and the people cross the sea on dry ground. When the Pharaoh’s chariots crash onto the seabed, the waves close in, engulfing the soldiers and Amenophis himself. The Israelites, safe on the opposite shore, raise a chorus of thanksgiving, celebrating the triumph of faith and freedom over tyranny.

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