(1797-1848)
Italian composer Gaetano Donizetti is the pre-eminent representative of the bel canto style and one of the most significant creative figures in the genre of opera. His 65 operas include such repertoire favourites as L'elisir d'amore, Lucia di Lammermoor, Maria Stuarda, La fille du régiment and Don Pasquale. He was born near Bergamo and pursued his studies in Bologna before moving to Naples. In 1830, Anna Bolena brought him great international acclaim, and over the following eight years he wrote 25 operas, including several of those already mentioned above and Roberto Devereux. After moving to Paris in 1838, he wrote La fille du régiment and Don Pasquale. He then later moved to Vienna, where he worked as a court composer. A number of forgotten works of his were rediscovered late in the 20th century, not least of all thanks to superb singers like Maria Callas and Joan Sutherland.