In the monumental overture to the opera La Gazza Ladra (The Thieving Magpie) Gioachino Rossini employs themes from the opera itself in order to prepare the audience for the material to come. The overture contains themes that stay long in the memory of the listener, as well as spectacular use of the famous Rossini crescendo. This wonderful arrangement for concert band from Franco Cesarini retains all of La Gazza Ladra’s original charm, and is ideal as a concert opener.