Vincenzo Bellini

Vincenzo Salvatore Carmelo Francesco Bellini was born in Catania, Sicily on Nov 3rd 1801. His family were very musical, his father being an organist, Vincenzo became a child prodigy. At the age of two he began studying music theory, then at three he started learning the piano.At the age of six he wrote his first composition and started making a name for himself.

In 1819 he left his home to travel to Naples, to join the conservatory. His first opera "Adelson e Salvini" was composed around 1825 and was performed at the conservatoire by fellow students. The opera was very inspiring to people and in 1827 impresario Domenico Barbaia asked him to write an opera for the "La Scala", Milan opera house. This opera was "Il Pirata", composed in 1827. Vincenzo name quickly started to be mentioned throughout Italy and overseas. In 1829 he wrote "La straniera" while in Milan, this opera had a new style of music and was more liked than "Il Pirata". His most famous operas which are still performed many times today are, "La Sonnambula","Norma" which were both composed in 1831, and "I Puritani", composed in 1835. The title role in "Norma", is said to be the most difficult role in the soprano repertoire.

In 1833 he moved to Paris, France where he became friends with Rossini and Chopin. Then on the 23rd September 1835, in Puteaux, near Paris he died from acute inflammation of the intestine. He was layed to rest in Paris however, in 1876 his body was moved to his birth place Catania.