Some of the music originates from his opera Il viaggio a Reims written three years earlier for the coronation of Charles X.

However, it was devised for the Opéra rather than for the Théâtre de l'Opéra-Comique and there are structural inconsistencies with the contemporary opéra comique genre: whereas the latter consists of relatively short lyrical numbers and spoken dialogue, Le comte Ory consists of "highly developed, even massive musical forms linked by accompanied recitative".

[2] Although the opera contains some of Rossini's most colorful orchestral writing, the quaint, brief overture is oddly restrained and unassuming, ending with a whisper of pizzicato strings.

It was given in London at the King's Theatre in Italian on 28 February 1829, in New Orleans at the Théâtre d'Orléans on 16 December 1830 and in New York on 22 August 1831.

The cast included Juan Diego Flórez, Diana Damrau and Joyce DiDonato, singing in a new production directed by Bartlett Sher.

The Crusaders were a rugby team on an overseas tour, Ory (Manase Latu) disguised himself as a guru, and instead of a trouser role, Isolier (Hanna Hipp) was a lesbian.

Ragonde explains that the ladies have sworn to live like widows in the countess's castle while their husbands and brothers are away on the crusade.

When the tutor asks why the page brought him to this place, it is revealed that Isolier wishes to visit the countess's castle.

Countess Adèle consults the hermit about a cure for her melancholia ("En proie à la tristesse").

The "hermit" warns her not to trust "the faithful page of the terrible Count Ory" and she leads him to the castle.

A large room in the castle A terrible storm persuades the countess and her attendants to welcome a group of fourteen pilgrims surprised by the elements.

He woos her, not realizing in the dark that it is Isolier's hand he is holding (Trio: "À la faveur de cette nuit obscure").