Gioachino Rossini was one of the greatest and most significant opera composers in music history. His opera performances were celebrated then as they are today and were a true crowd puller. The catchy overtures and unforgettable arias of his operas are known worldwide, and with his last opera, Guillaume Tell, Rossini made his entrance into the largest opera house in Europe in the 19th century: Paris. After retiring surprisingly early from the opera business, he dedicated himself primarily to sacred music. Arnold Jacobshagen describes in four stages Rossini's journey from opera composer to church musician and paints an exciting portrait of Rossini with extensive information on stages and genres, as well as the musical dramaturgy in Rossini's works. A concluding chapter sheds light on Rossini between cult and enemy image.