Rossini’s “Cat Duet” and the musical mischief of feline inspiration
Spring is here, and with it comes longer days, warmer evenings, and the unmistakable sound of cats singing their seasonal serenades. It’s the perfect time to revisit a classical favourite that captures the theatrical soul of our feline companions.
Classical music has celebrated everything from love and loss to gods and ghosts. Do you know that one of its most charming performances is all about cats? It might be the most charming opera performance you’ve never heard of.
Duetto buffo di due gatti, the “Funny Duet for Two Cats”, is a short vocal piece often attributed to Gioachino Rossini (1792–1868). It’s not your typical aria. In fact, the only word sung throughout the duet is “meow.”
Usually performed by two sopranos, the piece mimics a dramatic conversation between two cats. With exaggerated emotion, mock rivalry, and all the flair of Italian opera, it shows just how expressive a simple “meow” can be. No costumes needed—just timing, theatricality, and a sense of humour.
Why does it work so well? Because cats are performers. They stalk, they sulk, they swoop onto the scene. They have timing, presence, and attitude. Rossini’s playful composition captures all of that. And just like springtime serenades from real cats, full of yowling, flirting, and territorial declarations, this duet is more than just music. It’s a reminder that cats are seasonal creatures too, ruled by light, warmth, and hormones.
At 3coty®, we love a little drama, especially if it ends with a well-earned meal. Our cats may not sing duets, but they definitely know how to demand dinner in their own operatic style. And we’re here for it.
Do your cats perform at mealtime? Give them something worth singing about
Did you know?
Rossini didn’t actually compose the “Cat Duet” himself, but his music inspired it. The piece was stitched together by another composer using snippets from Rossini’s earlier operas. It became a hit because it captures the spirit of cats so perfectly: dramatic, expressive, and impossible to ignore. Want to hear it for yourself?
Here’s a classic performance of Rossini’s Cat Duet on YouTube.
