In 1830, Bellini formed a lifelong friendship with famous Italian soprano Giuditta Pasta. He went on to create the roles of Amina (La Sonnambula), and Norma specifically for her.

Bellini's tragic opera, Norma, is often considered his masterpiece and contains one of the most famous arias of the 19th century: Casta Diva. It was an aria that, originally, Giuditta Pasta refused to sing! We hear a large extract from this opera that includes Casta Diva, performed by Maria Callas. We also hear an example of Bellini's coloratura fireworks in an aria and duet from La Sonnambula (The Sleepwalker). Show less