Torvaldo e Dorliska was followed, after but a short interval, by Il Barbiere, for which a contract was signed the very day, Dec. 26, on which Torvaldo was brought out. The contract was in the following terms:—

“Nobil Teatro di Torre Argentina, Dec. 26th, 1815.

“By the present act, drawn up privately between the parties, the value of which is not thereby diminished, and according to the conditions consented to by them, it has been stipulated as follows:—

“Signor Puca Sforza Cesarini, manager of the abovenamed theatre, engages Signor Maestro Gioachino Rossini for the next carnival season of the year 1816; and the said Rossini promises and binds himself to compose and produce on the stage, the second comic drama to be represented in the said season at the theatre indicated, and to the libretto which shall be given to him by the said manager, whether this libretto be old or new. The Maestro Rossini engages himself to deliver his score in the middle of the month of January, and to adapt it to the voices of the singers; obliging himself, moreover, to make, if necessary, all the changes which may be required, as much for the good execution of the music as to suit the capabilities or exigencies of the singers.