The historical-artistic collection of the Museo Civico Belliniano is a heterogeneous collection consisting of works and objects linked to the complex of events and experiences the composer lived in various Italian and European cities, in the first half of the 19th century. An accumulation of objects which, precisely because of their intimate link with the musician’s daily life and work – and only apparently without an organic systematisation – manages to interact with visitors, making them in tune with the artistic personality and to the most intimate and domestic aspect of the artist.
The collection includes more than a hundred pieces, brought together and stored since the beginning of the 20th century, such as paintings, lithographs, engravings, sculptures, photographs, posters, stamps and medals. Particularly noteworthy are the memorabilia that belonged to the composer, which differ in terms of use, materials and origin, most of which were found in the Milan flat and Villa Lewis in Puteaux, where Vincenzo Bellini lived before his death. These include personal items of use and clothing, two pocket watches and a pendulum, furniture in both eclectic and Empire styles, household textiles and small objets d’art such as two small porcelain vases of French manufacture and a miniature portrait of the composer.
The variety of Bellini’s collection derives from many donors or sellers, almost all of whom are little known to the public due to the lack of information. This legacy has been handed down both directly and indirectly, i.e. through the most substantial bequests from the composer’s family members and their heirs – such as the music teacher Ascanio Bazan – or through various private citizens, who were simply fortuitous custodians of the precious heirlooms given to them by the family members themselves.
The most important section of the museum’s holdings is the music collection, which includes autograph manuscripts of compositions by Bellini and other minor Catanese composers. In addition to this precious collection, there is also a substantial collection of Bellini’s correspondence: Bellini’s autograph letters are also available in a digital edition ( bellinicorrespondence.cnr.it ). A further section is dedicated to the composer Giovanni Battista Perucchini, whose composite collection of musical scores and correspondence has recently been acquired by the Museum (insert link to the file “Elenco Carteggi Perucchini”).