To complement Colbran's talents Barbaia signed Gioachino Rossini to a seven-year contract as a composer of operas for the company. Upon his arrival in Naples in 1815 Rossini composed the title role of "Elisabetta, regina d'Inghilterra" ("Elizabeth, Queen of England") especially for her. His next Neapolitan opera was "Otello, ossia il Moro di Venezia" in which Colbran sang the role of Desdemona. This opera proved to be immensely popular and found Colbran at the height of her powers. Her popularity led to demand for performances. Though her voice soon began to show signs of strain, Colbran continued to have a fertile career, creating the roles of Armida ("Armida"), Elcia ("Mosè in Egitto"), Zoraide ("Ricciardo e Zoraide"), Ermione ("Ermione"), Elena ("La donna del lago"), Anna ("Maometto II"), and Zelmira ("Zelmira"), all written by Rossini for Naples.