This biography by Henry Sutherland Edwards (1828-1906) was unusual because of the addition of the School: most of the other books dealt with an individual composer, but Edwards discusses Bellini and provides chapters on Donizetti and Verdi (still alive, and at the height of his powers, at the time this book was published) as well as his main subject. <p> The book covers Rossinis life and deals in detail with what the author regarded as his most significant works – a selection which may...