Soprano Rosabelle Bianchi and tenor Charles Vincenti.

Viva il Bel Canto is the much-anticipated forthcoming event being organised by Barocco Foundation at Villa Bologna in Attard on May 22 at 8pm.

The concert will feature some of the most thrilling arias of the bel canto period, usually represented by three formidable composers: Gioachino Rossini, Gaetano Donizetti and Vincenzo Bellini.

Generally understood, the term bel canto refers to the Italian vocal style of the 18th and early 19th centuries. The term is sometimes applied exclusively to Italian opera of the time of Rossini (1792–1868), Bellini (1801–1835), and Donizetti (1797–1848). These men composed opera during the bel canto era (1805 to 1830), such as Rossini’s The Barber of Seville and Donizetti’s Lucia di Lammermoor, which are today’s some of the most frequently performed operas.

The concert will feature tenor Charles Vincenti and soprano Rosabelle Bianchi who will give a delightful performance of arias from the bel canto genre. The programme will include some romantic arias composed by Bellini, such as Il fervido desiderio, Dolente immagine di Fille mia, Vaga luna, che inargenti and Per pieta bell' idol mio.  The programme will also feature Rossini’s L’Invito and an aria Giusto ciel in tal periglio from Rossini’s first opera written in French and premiered in Paris in 1826, L’Assedio di Corinto as it is known in Italian. The concert will also feature Donizetti’s romantic arias, one of which will be Convien Partir from La Figlia del Reggimento.  The two opera singers will be accompanied by pianist Ramona Zammit Formosa.

Tickets may be obtained on 7968 0952 or e-mail bookings@baroccomalta.com.  Tickets are also available from Ceramica Shop at Villa Bologna.