Bellini , Vincenzo , 1801-1835 , Italian composer

Vincenzo Bellini, Italian opera composer, was born in Catania, Sicily, Italy in 1801. Having grown up in a musical household, it is alleged that he was a child prodigy, playing piano well by the age of five, and composing at six. Bellini is best known for his opera 'Norma' (1831) the title role of which is considered the most difficult role in the soprano repertoire. He composed Bel Canto operas, including 'Adelson e Salvini' (1825), 'Bianca e Gernando' (1826), 'Il pirata (1827), 'Bianca e Fernando (1828), 'La straniera' (1829), 'Zaira' (1829), 'I Capuleti e i Montecchi' (1830), 'La sonnambula' (1831), 'Beatrice di Tenda' (1833) and 'I puritani di Scozia' (1835). Bellini died in Puteaux, near Paris in 1835, and was buried next to Chopin in Pere Lachaise.