La Gazza Ladra ("The Thieving Magpie") was composed by Gioacchino Rossini in 1817. Most well-known from the opera is the Overture, which is rumored to have been written by Rossini the day before the premiere upon being locked in a room in the La Scala Opera House by the conductor. As is typical for Rossini, various familiar themes and motives from the opera are included in the overture, with solos for many instruments throughout (notably the piccolo, bassoon, horn, and even the snare drum).

Instrumentation:

• E-Flat Clarinet
• 4 B-Flat Clarinets
• Alto Clarinet/Basset Horn/Clarinet 5
• Bass Clarinet
• Contrabass Clarinet/Contralto/String Bass

Optional Percussion:

• Snare Drum
• Timpani
• Bass Drum/Triangle