GIACOMO

PUCCINI (1858– )  , Italian operatic composer, was born at Lucca, of a family already distinguished in music; his great-great-grandfather Giacomo, great-grandfather Antonio, grandfather Domenico, and father Michele, being all well known in the art . He was educated at the Milan Conservatoire, and in 1884 his opera Le Villi was performed at the Teatro dal Verme . In 1889 his Edgar was performed at La Scala, and in 1893 his Manon Lescaut in Turin . But it was the production of La Boheme in Turin in 1896 that made him famous, and this opera had a great success everywhere . Tosca followed in 1900, and in 1904 kadama Butterfly confirmed the highest opinions of his talent .