BELLINI

Bellini – Vincenzo Salvatore Bellini was an Italian composer born in 1801. It is reported that he was a musically gifted child who composed his first pieces of music at aged 6. He studied music at the Conservatory of Naples. After finishing his studies he went to La Scala in Milan where he met the librettist (lyric writer) Felice Romani who became his main creative partner, providing the libretti for most of Bellini’s operas.

His operas are best known for their flowing and long melody lines and one of the favourites is now Norma, which although did not fare well in the beginning, has risen in popularity, possibly due to Maria Callas frequently making her debut in a new city with a production of the Bellini Opera.

Bellini Backing Tracks – Casta Diva – Norma

Lyrics

Casta Diva, che inargenti
Queste sacre antiche piante
A noi volgi il bel sembiante
Senza nube e senza vel
Tempra, o Diva
Tempra tu de cori ardenti
Tempra ancora lo zelo audace
Spargi in terra quella pace
Che regnar tu fai nel ciel

Fine al rito, e il sacro bosco
Sia disgombro dai profani
Quando il Nume irato e fosco
Chiegga il sangue dei Romani
Dal Druidico delubro
La mia voce tuoner
Cadr punirlo io posso
Ma, punirlo, il cor non sa
Ah! bello a me ritorna
Del fido amor primiero
E contro il mondo intiero
Difesa a te sar
Ah! bello a me ritorna
Del raggio tuo sereno
E vita nel tuo seno
E patria e cielo avr
Ah, riedi ancora qual eri allora
Quando il cor ti diedi allora
Ah, riedi a me

Bellini Backing Tracks – Ah Non Credea Mirarti … Casta Diva – Norma