ABSTRACT
Very little epistolary documentation exists between Bellini and his principal librettist, Felice Romani, to show their working methods. Some manuscripts of libretti, especially that of Norma, however, show that Bellini took an active part in shaping the libretto, demanding and getting many revisions. Because Bellini insisted upon these changes, Romani’s libretti for Bellini are among the best he wrote. The relationship between Bellini and Count Pepoli is better documented, for Bellini practically had to train Pepoli in writing text for the theater.
