Giacomo Puccini
Italian composer Giacomo Puccini was born on 22 December 1858 in Lucca, where he later became church organist and choirmaster. He studied initially with his uncle, and a performance of Verdi's Aida inspired him to write his own operas. From 1880 he studied composition with Amilcare Ponchielli and Antonio Bazzini at the Conservatory in Milan. Whilst there he wrote the one act opera La Villi for a competition. It didn't win, but it was later noticed by Giulio Ricordi, who commissioned him to write a second opera Edgar (1889). From 1891 he lived mostly at Torre del Lago, near Lucca, and after a few years (and the notable success of his third opera, Manon Lescaut, of 1893) he acquired some land and built the villa now known as the Villa Museo Puccini. Manon Lescaut was his first collaboration with librettists Luigi Illica and Giuseppe Giacosa. They all went on to produce La bohème (1896), Tosca (1900) and Madama Butterfly (1904), Puccini's most popular operas. After this, his rate of completing operas decreased, following a car accident, some domestic scandal and the death of his publisher Giulio Ricordi. La Fanciulla del West was completed in 1910, La Rondine in 1917 and Il Trittico (three one-act operas) was premièred in New York in 1918. The end came quite quickly for Puccini in the guise of throat cancer, probably caused by his chain smoking of cigars. He went to Brussels for radiation therapy, where he died on 29 November 1924 from complications caused by the treatment. Turandot, his final opera, hadn't been finished, but it was completed from sketches by Franco Alfano. (Toscanini, who conducted the première, made a second version, based on Alfano's, and a new ending was made by Luciano Berio in 2002, after going back to the original sketches, but Toscanini's version is normally used in performance). There are contradictions - concerning both the man and his music. Mussolini claimed that Puccini had applied to join the National Fascist Party, although the composer didn't appear to be active in politics. Was he secretive to avoid losing his friendship with the anti-fascist Toscanini? Puccini's popular style, emphasising melody and influenced strongly by Verdi and to some extent Wagner, uses orchestral colour to create atmosphere, yet there is a common perception that this style lacks depth.
A selection of M&V articles about Giacomo Puccini
Ensemble. White Hot Intensity - Renée Fleming and the Russian National Orchestra at the Festival of the Arts Boca 2010, reviewed by Lawrence Budmen
Ensemble. A Bouquet of Bohèmes - Maria Nockin reviews one opera at two different venues
DVD Spotlight. Evident Delight - Puccini's 'La rondine', heard by Robert Anderson. '... exciting acrobatics ...'
Ensemble. Power and Depth - Puccini's 'Il Trittico', reviewed by Rebecca Schmid
Ensemble. Robust Voices - Susan Hampton visits Boston for Puccini's 'La bohème'
DVD Spotlight. Intensity and Concentration - Kurt Masur conducts Richard Strauss, reviewed by Kelly Ferjutz. '... beautifully and confidently performed ...'
Ensemble. A Different Rendition - Puccini's 'Tosca' on the big screen, reviewed by Maria Nockin
DVD Spotlight. Convincing Forcefulness - A documentary on Puccini's 'Madame Butterfly', seen by Gerald Fenech. '... riveting stuff ...'
Ensemble. Sterling Performances - Donizetti's 'Linda di Chamounix', heard by Robert Hugill
Ensemble. Truly Enjoyable - Maria Nockin was at Los Angeles Opera's 'La Traviata'
Ensemble. Student Life and Love - Puccini's 'La bohème' from Kentish Opera, enjoyed by Pippa Hare
Ensemble. Ringing Intensity - 'Madama Butterfly' from San Diego Opera, reviewed by Maria Nockin
CD Spotlight. Easy Listening - Christina Linhardt's 'Voodoo Princess', reviewed by K C Devereaux. 'The only voodoo conjured here is the dread spectre of "Smooth Jazz".'
Ensemble. Amazing Clarity - Greer Grimsley sings Scarpia in 'Tosca' from San Diego, experienced by Maria Nockin
Ensemble. Magical eloquence - The first night of Palm Beach Opera's revival of Bellini's 'Norma' provides a night to remember for Lawrence Budmen
Pure Fashion? - Several Composers in Search of an Identity, by Béla Hartmann
Ensemble. A Bright Future - Malcolm Miller was at the final night of the 2008 BBC Proms in London
Ensemble. Vocal Radiance - Maria Nockin reports on the beginning of a new season at Los Angeles Opera
Ensemble. Glorious Melody - British Youth Opera's 'La Rondine', reviewed by Robert Hugill
Ensemble. Highly Creditable - Puccini's 'Tosca' at the Verona Arena, reviewed by Robert Hugill
Ensemble. No Excuses Necessary - Robert Hugill enjoys Puccini's 'La Fanciulla del West' at Grange Park Opera
Ensemble. A Charming Rendition - Puccini's 'La Rondine', reviewed by Maria Nockin
Ensemble. Dramatically Exciting - Puccini's 'Tosca' at Los Angeles Opera, reviewed by Maria Nockin
Ensemble. An Auspicious Beginning - The first performance of a brand new opera company, marked by Maria Nockin
Artful Phrasing - 'La bohème' at Los Angeles Opera, reviewed by Maria Nockin
Ensemble. New Territory - An unusual version of Puccini's 'Turandot', reviewed by Robert Hugill
Ensemble. A Wonderful Experience - Two productions at Santa Fe Opera, reviewed by Maria Nockin
Limitless Combinatorics - Eric Pettine postulates 'No Shortage of Melodies Anytime Soon', and offers some real hope for cynical musicians who think they've heard it all
Ensemble. Companion Pieces - A Ravel / Puccini double bill, reviewed by Robert Hugill
Ensemble. A Godsend - Heritage Opera's 'La Bohème', reviewed by Roderic Dunnett
Ensemble. Dramatic Veracity - Puccini's 'Turandot' from St Louis, reviewed by Maria Nockin
Ensemble. Extremely Traditional - 'Madama Butterfly' in Arizona, reviewed by Maria Nockin
Ensemble. Expansive Romanticism - 'Madama Butterfly' from Long Island, reviewed by Maria Nockin
Ensemble. Infectious Verve - Puccini's 'La bohème' in New Hampshire, reviewed by Maria Nockin
Ensemble. Important Revelations - A gala concert presented by Arizona Opera, reviewed by Maria Nockin
DVD Spotlight. Terrifying Intensity - Puccini's 'Turandot', reviewed by Robert Anderson. '... brimful of imagination ...'
DVD Spotlight. Rigidly Puritanical - 'Madama Butterfly', reviewed by Robert Anderson. '... a strong yet tender account of Puccini's cunning score.'
Ensemble. Imaginative Artistry - 'Madama Butterfly' in Los Angeles, reviewed by Maria Nockin
DVD Spotlight. Radiance of reconciliation - Puccini's 'La Bohème', appreciated by Robert Anderson. '... never a dull visual moment ...'
Ensemble. Suspending disbelief? - 'Turandot' at Welsh National Opera, reviewed by Rex Harley
Ensemble. Verismo al fresco - Malcolm Miller enjoys Opera Holland Park's double bill of 'Suor Angelica' and 'I Pagliacci'
Ensemble - Fresh and engaging. Roderic Dunnett reports on Chisinau National Opera's 'Turandot'
Unusual chemistry - Roderic Dunnett was at the Chisinau National Opera's 'La Bohème'
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