Vincenzo Salvatore Carmelo Francesco Bellini (November 3, 1801 ? September 23, 1835) was an Italian opera composer. Known for his flowing melodic lines, Bellini was the quintessential composer of Bel canto opera. Bellini is best known for his opera Norma, the title role of which is considered one of the most difficult roles in the soprano repertoire. During the 20th century, only a small number of singers were able to sing it with success: Rosa Ponselle in the early 1920s, and later Joan Sutherland in the 1950s and 1960s. Maria Callas was the famous Norma of the postwar period; she performed it many times and recorded it in the studio twice. Text source : Wikipedia (Hide extended text) ... (Read all)
