Performing Arts: Opera

Bellini's Opera

Background

Born in 1801, Italian composer Vincenzo Bellini grew up in Catania, Sicily surrounded by musicians. His father, an organist, sent him to the Naples Conservatory, where he produced his first works. When news started spreading across Italy about his expressive compositions, Bellini began receiving commissions for works such as Il pirata (1827), written for famed Milan opera house, La Scala.

Bellini worked closely with librettist Felice Romani—possibly the greatest theater writer of that period. With Romani, Bellini created I Capuleti ed I Montecchi, La sonnambula (The Sleepwalker), and his world-renowned masterpiece Norma. The last of Bellini's operas, I Puritani di Scozia, was written in 1835, the year that he died at the young age of 34 in Puteaux, near Paris.

I Capuleti ed I Montecchi (The Capulets and Montagues), which was created in six weeks, was influenced by the tragic tale of young lovers Romeo and Juliet, but focuses more on Tebaldo, the man Juliet was supposed to marry, than Shakespeare does in his play. The opera premiered at the Teatro La Fenice, Venice, on March 11, 1830.

Unlike other Italian composers of his day who focused on the melody of songs separate from the lyrics, Bellini composed music closely tied to a particular character's attitudes and emotions. Thus, his operas are known for its bel canto style. Directly translated as "beautiful song," bel canto demands incredible flexibility and range from those who sing its lead songs. The world's greatest divas have sung the title role in Bellini's Norma; and Giulietta's aria on the balcony, "O quante volte" (Oh, how many times), is one of the most poignant scenes in opera.

Synopsis

The feuding between the Capulets and Montagues is revived when Romeo slays Capellio's son. Tebaldo vows to avenge the death of Capellio's son by killing Romeo, and as a reward, Capellio announces that Tebaldo is free to marry his daughter Giulietta.

Romeo, disguised as a Montague ambassador, apologies for the slaying and offers to make peace by organizing the marriage of Romeo and Giulietta. This offer is rejected because she will soon be married to Tebaldo. Romeo sneaks into Giuletta's room and tries to persuade her to run away with him, but he is again unsuccessful, because her honor and family duty prevent her from doing so.

During the wedding ceremony, the Montagues attack the palace. Romeo's identity is revealed, but he escapes without harm. Meanwhile, Giulietta mourns her fate. To avoid her marriage to Tebaldo, Giulitta drinks an elixir that will make her appear dead. Outside of the palace, Romeo and Tebaldo are fighting, but when they hear that Giulietta has died, they are both overcome with grief. Romeo, believing Giuletta to be dead, forces open her tomb and takes his own life by swallowing poison. He dies as Giulietta revives. Seeing him die, Giulietta decides to take her own life as well, and the lovers die in each other's arms.