Born Nov. 3, 1801, in Catania, Sicily; died Sept. 23, 1835, in Puteaux, near Paris. Italian composer.

Bellini came from a family of musicians (his father was a conductor; his grandfather was an organist and composer). He studied at the San Sebastiano Conservatory in Naples. Bellini wrote 11 operas—I Capuleti ed i Montecchi (1830, Fenice Theater, Venice), La Sonnambula (1831, Carcano Theater, Milan), and I Puritani (1835, Théâtre Italien, Paris) were very successful. His most important work is the opera Norma (1831, La Scala, Milan).

The productions of Bellini’s operas were often accompanied by patriotic demonstrations. At the time of the growth of the national liberation movement in Italy, the audience found a timely political content in his operas. Bellini was the greatest master of the Italian bel canto style. The basis of his music is clear vocal melody—fluid, plastic, and distinguished by continuity of development. The outstanding Italian singers perfected their artistry by performing in Bellini’s works.