Vincenzo Bellini (jan 1, 1801 – jan 1, 1835)
Description:
an Italian opera composer, who was known for his long-flowing melodic lines for which he was named "the Swan of Catania."Bel canto
A. Bellini and Bel Canto
1. Rossini’s immediate successors, Vincenzo Bellini and Gaetano Donizetti, are the chief
proponents of opera seria. They are succeeded by Giuseppe Verdi.
2. In less than ten years, Bellini composed ten operas, most with Felice Romani as librettist.
a. In essence, these two defined bel canto style.
b. The cavatina (opening, slow, beautiful melodic part) becomes the most
important part of the aria.
3. “Casta diva” represents the expansive aria of bel canto: It requires another soloist (bass), full chorus, orchestra, and band on stage. The spectacle of all these parts is a new dimension for the formerly reflective aria.
4. Such lengthy scenes had previously been reserved for ensembles, but here it is essentially focused on a single character.
KEY TERMS:
Cavatina: an entrance aria (see #2b)
Casta Diva: (see #3)
Added to timeline:
Date:
jan 1, 1801
jan 1, 1835
~ 34 years