But although _Ciro in Babilonia_ is generally described in the catalogues of Rossini's works as an oratorio, yet, like _Mosè in Egitto_ composed six years later, it was an opera so far as regards form, and was only called an oratorio from the circumstance of its being given in Lent without the usual stage accessories. _Ciro in Babilonia_ was by no means successful as a whole. The composer, however, saved from the wreck of his oratorio two valuable fragments: a chorus which afterwards figured in _Aureliano in Palmira_, and from which he borrowed the theme of Almaviva's beautiful solo in _The Barber of Seville_, "Ecco ridente il cielo;" and the concerted finale which, in the year 1827, found its way into the French version of _Mosè in Egitto_. Some forty years after the production of _Ciro in Babilonia_ Rossini spoke to Ferdinand Hiller (who has recorded the words in his highly interesting _Conversations with Rossini_) of a poor woman who had only one good note in her voice, which he accordingly made her repeat while the melody of the solo given to her in _Ciro_ was played by the orchestra. So in the French burlesque of _Les Saltimbanques_, an untaught player of the trombone is introduced, who, being able to play but one note, is told that that will suffice, and that if he keeps strictly to it "the lovers of that note will be delighted." CHAPTER II. LA PIETRA DEL PARAGONE. Rossini had already written two operas in 1812, and he was destined in this fertile year to produce three more: two at Venice, _La Scala di Seta_ and _L'Occasione fa il Ladro_; and one at Milan, _La Pietra del Paragone_. _La Pietra del Paragone_ was Rossini's next great success after _L'Inganno Felice_. The leading parts were assigned to Galli, afterwards one of the most famous bass-singers of his time, and to Madame Marcolini, who had played the principal character in _L'Equivoco Stravagante_, and who had particularly distinguished herself in that work by her singing of the final rondo before mentioned. In _La Pietra del Paragone_ Madame Marcolini was furnished with a final rondo of the pattern already approved, and in this, as in the earlier one, she gained a most brilliant success.