1. V Vincenzo Bellini ~ famous bel canto opera writer

2. Vincenzo Salvatore Carmelo Francesco Bellini was born in the Catania region of Sicily, Italy.

3. Mt. Etna Harbor in Catania, Sicily City streets in Catania, Sicily

4. Bellini was a child prodigy from a very musical family and became musically proficient at a very early age.

5. In 1819, Bellini left Catania to study at the conservatory in Naples. San Pietro a Majella in Naples

6. Bellini partnered with Felice Romani to create Il pirata, which became an immediate success. Felice Romani

7. In 1828 Bellini wrote La straniera, which was even more successful than Il pirata. La straniera’s success paved the way for Bellini to support himself solely by his opera commissions.

8. Over the next five years (1830-1835) Bellini enjoyed one success after another: La sonnambula, Norma, and I puritani. La sonnambula Norma I puritani

9. Bellini died in Puteaux (near Paris) due to acute inflammation of the large intestine. His remains now reside in the cathedral of Catania.

10. Other important bel canto opera composers RossiniDonizetti