Biography of Vincenzo Bellini

The colors of the melody

3 November 1801 23 September 1835 Vincenzo Salvatore Carmelo Francesco Bellini, Italian composer, one of the most famous composers of 800, was born in Catania on 3 November 1801. He studied music in Catania, then in Naples (1819). Among his teachers there is Nicola Antonio Zingarelli, who directs it towards the study of the classics. Know the calabrese Francesco Florimo, which establishes a deep and enduring friendship; Florimo becomes Librarian of the Conservatory of Naples and you friend's biographer Bellini, who died prematurely. Among his first compositions, at this time, there are works of sacred music, some symphonies and some Arias for voice and orchestra, including the famous "Woebegone photo", now known for subsequent adaptations for voice and piano. Presented in 1825 to the Conservatory Theatre "Adelson e Salvini," his first and final work in the course of composition. Only a year later with "Bianca e Fernando", comes the first big and unexpected success. Not to disrespect to Prince Ferdinand of Bourbon, the opera was staged at the teatro San Carlo in Naples with the title changed to "Bianca e Gernando". In 1827 he was commissioned to write an opera to be represented at the Teatro alla Scala in Milan. Bellini leaves Naples and also Magdalene Fumaroli, the girl he loves but who had not been able to marry because of the opposition of his father. In Milan on stage "Il pirata" (1827) and "La straniera" (1829) getting resounding successes; on the pages of the milanese press of the time you can appreciate how Bellini was considered the only Italian Opera composer with a strong personal style that can stand up to that of Gioacchino Rossini. "Zaira" in 1829, represented in Parma, gets less fortunate: it seems that the style of Bellini is ill-adapted to the tastes of the traditional audience. Of later works the most successful are those written for the public in Milan: "La sonnambula" (1831), Norma (1831) and "Paris" (I puritani-1835). During the same period also composed two operas for the teatro La Fenice in Venice: "I Capuleti e I Montecchi (1830), for which suitable part of music written for" Zaira ", and the little lucky" Beatrice di Tenda (1833). The turning point in his career as in his artistic evolution coincides with his move to Paris. Here Vincenzo Bellini comes into contact with some of the greatest composers of Europe (including Fryderyk Chopin); while keeping intact the melodic inspiration as ever, the musical language of Italian is enriched with colours and new solutions. In Paris composed numerous Chamber romance of great interest, some of them in French. It is now mature and ready to compose a work in French for the Opéra de Paris: Unfortunately his career and his life is cut short at the age of 33 years, from an intestinal infection probably contracted a few years earlier. Vincenzo Bellini is buried near Chopin and cherubs in Père Lachaise Cemetery, where his body will remain for over forty years until 1876, when it is brought to the Cathedral of Catania. From 1985 until the entry into force of the Euro, the Italian banknote from 5000 Lira showed the representation of the face of Vincenzo Bellini.
Article contributed by the team of collaborators.