bel canto technique
An Italian school of singing emphasising beauty of tone, smooth legato, agile coloratura, and elegant phrasing
In Depth
Bel canto (beautiful singing) refers both to a historical vocal tradition and a set of operas by Rossini, Bellini, and Donizetti that demand its mastery. The technique prioritises evenness of tone across all registers, seamless register transitions (the passage between chest and head voice), florid ornamentation, and long-breathed phrasing. The bel canto revival of the mid-20th century, led by Maria Callas and Joan Sutherland, restored these neglected operas to the international stage.
Joan Sutherland was nicknamed La Stupenda for her bel canto technique — her ability to float impossibly long phrases while executing dazzling coloratura astonished audiences worldwide.