Vincenzo Bellini

Italian opera composer Vincenzo Bellini, although only 34 when he died in France on 23 September 1835, wrote eleven operas notable for a vocal style demanding both legato for the substantial melodic lines and bravura for dramatic display. He was born at Catania in Sicily on 3 November 1801.

A selection of articles about Vincenzo Bellini

Ensemble. Misunderstandings and Jealousy - Mike Wheeler reports on the gender-politics of the Buxton Festival's production of Bellini's 'La Sonnambula'

CD Spotlight. Exceptional Poise and Musicality - Operatic arias played on trumpet, highly recommended by Gerald Fenech. 'Matilda Lloyd performs these phenomenal pieces with a captivating enthusiasm and irresistible grace ...'

Profile. Big Roles - Ron Bierman talks to American soprano Michelle Bradley

CD Spotlight. Delicately Sensitive Performances - Operatic fantasies by Sigismond Thalberg, strongly recommended by Gerald Fenech. '... characteristically intense and warm ...'

Ensemble. Welcome Back, Puritani - Giuseppe Pennisi was in the audience, in Rome, for Bellini's last great masterpiece

CD Spotlight. Overtly sentimental? - Bellini's 'I Puritani', heard by Gerald Fenech. '... the chemistry between conductor and performers cannot be faulted.'

Ensemble. Three Divas - Maria Nockin reviews a streamed recital from Versailles, given by Ailyn Pérez, Nadine Sierra, Isabel Leonard, Vlad Iftinca and Pablo Sáinz-Villegas

Ensemble. Appreciation of Nature - Maria Nockin reviews a 'Met Stars' online concert from the Spanish Riding School in Vienna, featuring Anna Netrebko, Elena Maximova and Pavel Nebolsin

Ensemble. An Opera for Voices - Giuseppe Pennisi reviews Vincenzo Bellini's rarely-staged 'Il Pirata'

Ensemble. Arduous and Contrasting Passion - Bellini's 'I Puritani' at Teatro dell'Opera di Roma, recommended by Giuseppe Pennisi

Ensemble. Bel Canto Marvels - Giuseppe Pennisi experiences Bellini's rare opera 'I Capuleti e i Montecchi'

Ensemble. An Autumn Trilogy - 'Norma', 'Aida' and 'Carmen' in Ravenna, reviewed by Giuseppe Pennisi

Ensemble. In Full Swing - Bellini's 'La Straniera' at Maggio Musicale Fiorentino, reviewed by Giuseppe Pennisi

Ensemble. Daily Puccini - Malcolm Miller enjoys an opera lollipop recital in the city of the composer's birth

Ensemble. Revival or World Premiere? - 'I Puritani in Palermo', heard by Giuseppe Pennisi

Ensemble. A Doll's House - A new production of Bellini's 'La Sonnambula', experienced by Giuseppe Pennisi

Ensemble. Pure Gold - Maria Nockin loved Bellini's 'Norma' in HD from New York Metropolitan Opera

Ensemble. A Very Interesting Discovery - The first performance in modern times of Bellini's 'Adelson e Salvini', reviewed by Giuseppe Pennisi

Ensemble. An African 'Norma' - Giuseppe Pennisi compares La Fenice's Bellini revival with an earlier production in Naples

Ensemble. On Vibrant Form - Bellini's 'I Capuletti e I Montecchi' at the Buxton Festival, recommended by Mike Wheeler

Ensemble. A Different 'Norma' - Giuseppe Pennisi visits Naples

Ensemble. Druid Priestess Conquers LA - James Sohre is impressed by Bellini's 'Norma'

CD Spotlight. Crossover Soprano - A recital by Rebecca Newman, heard by the late Howard Smith. 'The singer's voice is firm with secure intonation ...'

Ensemble. Intense and Moving - Opera at the Salzburg Summer Festival, reviewed by Giuseppe Pennisi

Ensemble. Infectiously Enjoyable - Anniversaries at The VoiceBox in Derby, by Mike Wheeler

Ensemble. Romantic Premonitions - Bellini's 'I Puritani', enjoyed by Giuseppe Pennisi

Ensemble. Light of Hope - Palermo's mixed reception to an innovative 'Norma', reviewed by Giuseppe Pennisi

CD Spotlight. Mastery of Adaptation - Opera transcriptions for piano, heard by Howard Smith. '... illuminating performances ...'

CD Spotlight. Nostalgic and Enthralling - A Joan Sutherland portrait, heard by Gerald Fenech. '... a fitting tribute to the singing legend from Australia ...'

Ensemble. Great Appeal - Taormina Teatro Antico's 'Norma' in HD, reviewed by Maria Nockin

Ensemble. Very Juicy - Summer Opera in Rome, enjoyed by Giuseppe Pennisi

Ensemble. A Major Treat - Maria Nockin listens to soprano Amber Wagner

Ensemble. Soulful Intensity - Bellini's 'Norma', reviewed by Mike Wheeler

Ensemble. Drama and Comedy - British humour under the Neapolitan sun, in 'L'Elisir d'Amore' in Rome and San Francisco, by Giuseppe Pennisi

Ensemble. A Real Surprise - Celso Albelo hits Venice as Nemorino in Donizetti's 'L'Elisir d'Amore', by Giuseppe Pennisi

Ensemble. Very Welcome - Robert Hugill experiences Stephen Oliver's 'Euridice'

Ensemble. Bravura Performance - A piano recital by Anthony Hughes, heard by Mary Isaac

Noteworthy Impressions - Greg Moomjy writes about the art of the outstanding production

Ensemble. Truly Memorable - A concert of arias at Arizona Opera impresses Maria Nockin

Ensemble. White Hot Intensity - Renée Fleming and the Russian National Orchestra at the Festival of the Arts Boca 2010, reviewed by Lawrence Budmen

Ensemble. A Fine Performance - Verdi's 'Nabucco' from San Diego Opera, enjoyed by Maria Nockin

Ensemble. Meticulously Explored - Bellini's 'La Somnambula' provides a long-awaited answer to an age-old question, as experienced by Gregory Moomjy

Ensemble. Alive and Well - Giuseppe Pennisi experiences Zeffirelli's latest 'La traviata'

Ensemble. Warmth and Richness - Massenet's 'Werther', heard by Mike Wheeler

Ensemble. Alert Playing - A recital for oboe and harp, heard by Mike Wheeler

Bizarre Perception - Alistair Hinton discusses a recent article on English music by David Hamilton

Ensemble. A Notable Success - Grange Park Opera's 'Norma', reviewed by Robert Hugill

Ensemble. Wholly Captivating - Rossini's 'Italian Girl in Algiers' impresses Howard Smith

Ensemble. Sometimes Impressive - Bellini's 'Norma' from English Touring Opera, heard by Robert Hugill

Ensemble. Magical eloquence - The first night of Palm Beach Opera's revival of Bellini's 'Norma' provides a night to remember for Lawrence Budmen

Ensemble. Brilliantly Realised - Bellini's 'I Capuleti e i Montecchi', heard by Mike Wheeler

A Superb Outing - Bellini's 'La Straniera', reviewed by Robert Hugill

Ensemble. Profoundly Moving - Bellini's 'I Capuletti e I Montecchi', enjoyed by Robert Hugill

Ensemble. Highly Dramatic - Nelly Miricioiu in Bellini's 'Beatrice di Tenda', reviewed by Robert Hugill

Oh, Those Verdi Choruses! - by Teresa Verde

Ensemble. Fluid Performance - The Chelsea Opera Group's 'I Puritani', reviewed by Robert Hugill

Ensemble. Inner warmth - Bellini's 'Norma' in Denver, appreciated by Maria Nockin

Ensemble. Playful rapport - A recital by Harriet Adie and Jessica Burroughs, reviewed by Mike Wheeler

Ensemble. Operatic delights - Canadian Opera Company's Altamira Summer Arts Concerts, reviewed by Malcolm Miller

Ensemble. Vibrant performance - Bellini's 'I Puritani' in Florida, reviewed by Lawrence Budmen

Mozart matinées - A Salzburg Festival preview, by Tess Crebbin

Ensemble. Italian passion - Lawrence Budmen attends a concert performance of Bellini's 'Norma'

Ensemble. Verging on London standards - Roderic Dunnett visits Dorset and Stowe Opera for productions of 'Norma' and 'Don Carlo'