Giacomo Puccini needs no introduction for lovers of opera. Born in Lucca to the west of Florence, like Mozart, another great composer of operas, Giacomo was from a family of professional musicians employed by the Church. Indeed going back to his great grandfather, also named Giacomo, the director of male line had held the position of Maestro di Capella in the Cathedral of Lucca.

This year on the 29 November though we celebrate the 100th anniversary of his death. He was a thoroughly modern man, enamoured of automobiles, the latest technologies, and contemporary lifestyle. It’s hard to believe it, but he composed only 12 operas, which are of such outstanding quality in terms of music and dramatic content, that his reputation as one of the greatest opera composers is secure on such a slender opus. No opera house it would seem can have a season without some of Puccini’s masterpieces being performed. And the ability he had, to combine words and music with emotional effect are exceptional. If Orpheus had the ability to tame wild beasts, cause rocks to move, and even influence the gods, then Puccini must surely come a close second in his ability to move the hardest hearts with his soul-piercing arias. It would be difficult to find a man that doesn’t want to sing nessun dorma or a woman who is not inspired to try to sing visi d’arte. 

Once his financial security was assured, Puccini lived at Torre del Lago until his final years. Here he indulged his passions for hunting, the simple life, and wrote many of his most memorable opera scores. And here too, one may visit his villa on the shores of the lake and savour some of the gentle atmosphere of the place that he called home. And here too, each Summer there is a Puccini Festival which draws opera lovers, Puccini fans and musicians from all over the world.