The opera was based on the 1772 novel Épreuves du Sentiment by François-Thomas-Marie de Baculard d'Arnaud, and it draws on a previously performed French play of 1803 by Prospère Delamare.

Bellini styled his project an opera semi-seria, and it was first performed at the Teatro del Conservatorio di San Sebastiano in Naples sometime between mid-January and mid-March 1825, although David Kimbell states 12 February 1825.

[2] Herbert Weinstock attributes the uncertainty as to the exact date to a series of deaths of several prominent people (including Bourbon King Ferdinand I), which caused all public entertainment to stop during periods of mourning.

Although much influenced by the music of Gioachino Rossini, Adelson e Salvini exhibits some of the characteristic tuneful style and delicate vocal line that Bellini achieved in his mature works.

Characteristically, Bellini was to re-use some of the music from this opera in later works,[2] notably Nelly's act 1 Romanza "Dopo l'oscuro nembo" which became Giulietta's aria "O quante volte" in I Capuleti e i Montecchi.

When Nelly sees him with this letter in his hand and asks him as a sign of confidence to read it, Salvini invents bad news: by the will of his uncle, Adelson is forced to break his engagement with her and marry the daughter of a duke.

Struley has a low house burned (casa bassa) located at the end of the castle park so that, while everyone runs to the scene of the disaster, his men can kidnap Nelly.

After having reported the alleged deception to the girl, Salvini first conspires with the Colonel and Geronio to remove her from Adelson, then sides with Nelly when she invokes his protection and finds that only revenge motivates Struley.