Bellini

The More I learn, the Less I Know

Vincenzo Salvatore Carmelo Francesco Bellini (3 November 1801 – 23 September 1835) was an Italian opera composer who was known for his long-flowing melodic lines for which he was named “the Swan of Catania”. Many years later, in 1898, Giuseppe Verdi praised the broad curves of Bellini’s melody: ‘there are extremely long melodies as no-one else had ever made before’.



Adelson e Salvini (3-Act Version)

Bellini’s earliest exant work, an opera semi-seria in 3 acts first performed on 12 February 1825 at the Conservatorio di San Sebastiano in Naples. Composed at the age of 23 for his graduation from the conservatory and seldom performed since. The soprano aria “Dopo l’oscuro nembo” (Act I, Scene V) is the standout moment. The…
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La straniera

Melodrama in Two Acts by by Felice Romani, first performed on 14 February 1829 at the Teatro alla Scala, Milan. Full libretto translated with notes on the musical structure. CAST OF CHARACTERS Alaide, the foreign woman Soprano Signore di Montolino Bass Isoletta, his daughter Mezzo-Sopranno Arturo, count of Ravenstel, betrothed to Isoletta Tenor Baron of…
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I Puritani

Opera in 3 acts based on a French play Tetes rondes et Cavaliers by Jacques-Francois Ancelot and Joseph Xavier Boniface (Saintine). First performed on 24 or 25 January 1835 at the Theatre-Italien in Paris. Full libretto with English translation. I PuritaniLibretto by Carlo Pepoli CAST OF CHARACTERS Elvira, Daughter of Gualtiero Valton (soprano) Arturo Talbo…
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