Paul Morphy and Gioacchino Rossini
by Boris Schipkov
Morphy, P. - Duke Karl and Count Isouard [C41]
Paris 1858
A brilliant and easy game of the ingenious American Paul Morphy against Duke Karl and Count Isouard was held in October, 1858 in the Italian Opera in Paris. Ingenious music of Rossini in "Il barbiere di Siviglia" magically had affected on the game.
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 Bg4 A risky move. 4. dxe5 Bxf3 5. Qxf3 dxe5 6. Bc4 Nf6 7. Qb3
A double blow. 7...Qe7 8. Nc3
Continuing development of the pieces. 8...c6 9. Bg5 b5
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10. Nxb5! Morphy does not recede!
10...cxb5 11. Bxb5+ Nbd7 12. O-O-O Rd8 13. Rxd7!
Fireworks of blows!
13...Rxd7 14. Rd1 Qe6 15. Bxd7+ Nxd7 16. Qb8+!
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Finishing the beautiful symphony. 16...Nxb8 17. Rd8 checkmate! 1-0
Nowadays a divine opera by Gioacchino Rossini "Il barbiere di Siviglia" is one of the most popular in the world. From 1998 till 2000 there were 421 performances "Il barbiere di Siviglia" in the world. This opera occupies the 10th place by the quantity of performances in the world among approximately 400 opera. The first place is occupied opera by Giacomo Puccini "La Bohème", the second - opera by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart "Magic flute", the third - opera by George Bizet "Carmen".
Details - Opera Research
© 2000 Boris Schipkov