The term bel canto means beautiful singing and is the name given to the vocal style that originated in Italy and flourished in the eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries. Singers and composers were dedicated to the beauty of melody and emphasized the long, sustained line of the music.

This program features music for solo piano that exemplifies the essence of the bel canto style.Mozart produced some of the great operas of all time and infused his instrumental works with his brilliant sense of drama and lyricism. Bellini was one of the great bel canto composers and had a profound influence on nineteenth century piano music.

The art of transcription flourished in the nineteenth century and continues to this day, creating an entire repertoire inspired by music not originally composed for the piano, many based on works in the bel canto style.