Page "Semiramide" Paragraph 8

One reason for his new interest in the serious genre was his connection with the great dramatic soprano Isabella Colbran, who was first his mistress, then his wife.

She created the leading female role in Elisabetta, regina d ' Inghilterra ( 1815 ), Otello ( 1816 ), Armida ( 1817 ), Mosè in Egitto ( 1818 ), Maometto II ( 1820 ), and five other Rossini operas up to and including his final contribution to the genre, Semiramide, which was also written with Colbran in the major role.