Complex sentence: The popularity of the pure bel-canto style faded in mid- 19th century Italy in favor of a heavier, more ardent approach to singing that was necessary in order to perform the innovative works of Giuseppe Verdi (1813--1901) with maximum dramatic clout.
Split into simpler sentences: The popularity of the pure bel-canto style also faded in mid- 19th century Italy. It was overtaken by a heavier, more ardent approach to singing that was necessary in order to perform the innovative works of Giuseppe Verdi (1813--1901) with maximum dramatic clout.