The Life of Bellini

John Rosselli's reassessment of the life and work of Bellini.

John Rosselli (Author)

9780521467810, Cambridge University Press

Paperback, published 28 March 1997

196 pages, 19 b/w illus. 1 map
21.6 x 14 x 1.1 cm, 0.23 kg

' … outstandingly successful in setting the composer's career within the complex world of Italian opera, in France as well as Italy, of which Rosselli has unrivalled command'. The Times Higher Education Supplement

'A sigh in dancing pumps' was Heine's view of Bellini. His physical beauty, boundless success and untimely death at the age of thirty-three combined to give Bellini instant mythical status. But both the facts and the fantasies were to be embroidered by Bellini's close friend and eventual biographer Francesco Florimo, who distorted the posthumous image of the composer to the extent of altering or destroying letters in his possession. In John Rosselli's account of Bellini's life and music, a new picture of the composer emerges. He provides a more accurate view of Bellini's personality, his relationships and his short but dazzling career in Naples, Milan and Paris. He introduces the operatic world of the early nineteenth century, the singers of Bellini's roles, and, above all he explains the writing and performance of the operas themselves.

Introduction: rediscovering Bellini
1. A young southerner
2. Storming La Scala
3. The champion
4. At the height of his powers
5. False steps
6. Paris and death
Appendix
Notes
Index.

Subject Areas: Individual composers & musicians, specific bands & groups [AVH]