Bel canto, meaning "fine singing," exemplified the flowering of Italian opera in the first half of the 19th Century. The Romantic movement influenced Italian opera as it swept the boards in opera houses throughout Europe. The operas of Rossini, Donizetti, and Bellini are characteristic of the style. This course will examine how Romanticism influenced opera, with an emphasis on the bel canto canon. We will explore the creative process, production techniques, profile the great singers, and hear glorious bel canto performances from modern-day singers.