BELLI'NI, VINb:SZO, one of the most popular modern opera composers, was b. at Catania, in Sicily, Nov. 1, 1802, and d. at Puteaux, near Paris, Sept. 24, 1835. He received his early education at the conservatory of Naples, and was subsequently instructed in composition by Tritto and Zingarelli. After making some attempts, without much suc cess, in instrumental and sacred music, lie brought forward, in 1825. the opera _4ndrison e Salvina, which was played in the small theater of the royal college of music (Naples). Another opera, Bianm e Gernando, was given in the theater St. Carlo (1826) with such success that, in 1827, B. was commissioned to write a piece for Iii Scala at Milan. This opera, It Pirato, was the first which carried the composer's name beyond Italy. It was followed with equal success by La Straniera, 1829, and by I Capulelti rd i .hronkerbi, written for the theater of Venice, 1830, which was the culmination of the fame of B.,
though it by no means exhausted his productive powers. La Sonvaloloda and myna appeared in 1831, and Beatrice di Tensia in 1833. In the same year the composer went to Paris, where he became acquainted with other forms of music beside the ]talian. lie was received with great applause in London, and after his return to Paris. wrote his opera I Puritani, which shows the influence of the French school of music, but without servile imitation. At an early age the career of B. was interrupted by death, before the composer had fully developed his powers. He was the most genial and original of all the followers of Rossini. and though inferior to his master in exuberance of fancy, is superior in carefulness and finish, especially in the due subordination of instrumental decorations to vocal melody. In private he was highly esteemed for the purity and affectionateness of his character.