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Vincenzo Bellini

Vincenzo Bellini

Born: 3rd November 1801, Catania, Italy

Died: 23rd September 1835, Puteaux, France

Nationality: Italian

Vincenzo Salvatore Carmelo Francesco Bellini was an Italian opera composer famed for his long, graceful melodies and evocative musical settings. A central figure of the bel canto era, he was admired not only by the public but also by many composers who were influenced by his work. His songs balanced florid embellishment with a deceptively simple approach to lyric setting.

Born to a musical family in Sicily, he distinguished himself early and earned a scholarship to study under several noted musicians at Naples' Real Collegio di Musica. There he absorbed elements of the Neapolitan School's style and was inspired by performances of Donizetti's and Rossini's operas, among others, in more modern idioms.

Further Reading: Bellini

  • Marina Rebeka on Norma

    18th Nov 2024by Katherine Cooper

    The Latvian soprano discusses recording the title-role in Bellini's masterpiece for her own label Prima Classic - using a new critical edition of the score by Roger Parker, which requires her to sing 'Casta diva' a tone higher than usual!

  • Marina Rebeka and Franco Vassallo on Il Pirata

    25th Oct 2021by Katherine Cooper

    The Latvian soprano and Italian baritone discuss their roles as Imogene and Ernesto in Bellini's early opera, recorded last summer in the composer's native Catania and released on Rebeka's own label Prima Classic last month.

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