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November 25, 2004 - Gioacchino Rossini, the great opera composer, was also a great gourmand. In fact, the man behind The Barber of Seville retired from composition when he was just 37 and spent the rest of his life — about 40 more years —enjoying food.

In a letter to a friend, a frustrated Rossini once wrote, "I'm looking for musical ideas and all that comes into my head is pies and truffles."

On this American holiday of gratitude and food, NPR's Fred Child celebrates with a tribute to Rossini.