Composer of the Month 12/2008: Giacomo Puccini   (selected by Peter van Dessel / Belgium)

Italy 28.5.2004 Giacomo Puccini was born in Lucca (Italy) on December 22nd, 1858. The composer of the late Romanticism is primarily known by his operas "La Bohème" (1896), "Tosca" (1900), "Madam Butterfly" (1904) and "La fanciulla del west" (1910). In 1926, his last - unfinished - opera "Turandot" was given for the first time at the Scala in Milan, conducted by Arturo Toscanini. Giacomo Puccini died in Brussels on November 29th, 1924. His birthday comes up again for the 150th time in December 2008. The video shows the Romanian soprano Angela Gheorghiu with the aria "Un bel di vedremo" from Puccini's opera "Madame Butterfly" More composers in our "members only" section.