Puritani

I Puritani is an opera in three acts by Vincenzo Bellini. The Italian libretto was written by Carlo Pepoli, and the work is a bel canto tragedy that revolves around love and political factionalism during the English Civil War. The title translates to The Puritans.

Bellini composed the score in the early 1830s, and the opera was first performed in 1835 at the Teatro La Fenice in Venice.

Set in 17th-century England, the drama centers on a noblewoman and her lover whose relationship is unsettled by mistaken identities, political intrigue, and factional conflict between Royalists and Puritans.

Musically, I Puritani is known for its demanding vocal lines, rapid coloratura, and expressive ensembles, reflecting Bellini's late bel canto style. The work is notable for its dramatic finales and lyrical arias that require virtuosic technique.

Since its premiere, I Puritani has remained part of the standard bel canto repertoire. It is regularly staged by major opera houses and has been recorded numerous times, contributing to the revival of interest in Bellini's late style.