Bellini, Vincenzo 11/03/1801 - 09/23/1835

Vincenzo Bellini (1801-1835), Italian opera composer, made his debut as an opera composer in 1825 with "Adelson in Salvini." The opera was so successful that he was commissioned to write an opera for the gala opening of the Teatro di San Carlo in Naples. Immediately thereafter he wrote the opera "Il Pirata" for La Scala in Milan. He then settled in Milan. The operas "La Straniera“ (1829), „I Capuleti ed i Montecchi“ (1830), „La Sonnambula“ (1831) „Norma“ and „Beatrice di Tenda“ (1831) followed in rapid succession and charmed all Europe with their endearing, languishing melodies. The failure of "Beatrice di Tenda" in March 1833 caused him to turn his back on his homeland and move to Paris. In 1830 he became ill with a gastrointestinal disease which led five years later to his early death.