This is the first collection in Russia of short librettos of all 39 operas by Gioachino Rossini, one of the greatest creators of opera. The presentation of the plots is accompanied by information about the circumstances of the creation of the operas, their premieres, as well as video and sound recordings of the best modern productions. Contrary to the usual reference genre, all this is told in a fascinating and lively manner, with a clearly noticeable author's intonation. Such work is especially needed in our time, when the grandiose legacy of the author of “The Barber of Seville” is increasingly being revealed to the world. The publication includes the following operas: Demetrius and Polybius The Marriage Promissory Note A Strange Case A Happy Deception Cyrus in Babylon, or Belshazzar’s Tribute The Silk Ladder The Touchstone Chance Makes a Thief, or Mixed-Up Suitcases Signor Bruschino, or Son on occasionTancredItalian in AlgeriaAurelian in PalmyraTurk in ItalySigismundoElizabeth, Queen of EnglandTorvaldo and DorliscaThe Barber of SevilleNewspaperOthello, or the Moor of Venice