Discovering Giacomo Puccini’s Legacy

Giacomo Puccini was born in Lucca, Italy, on December 22, 1858. He spent his formative years in Lucca, which celebrates him as one of its most cherished native sons. The home of this renowned opera composer has been meticulously restored to the mid-nineteenth-century style and serves as a small museum open to the public.

For opera lovers and fans of Puccini, the museum holds great significance. Guests can explore various rooms, each containing descriptions of its original use and a display of historical artifacts (provided in both Italian and English). Noteworthy items on display include manuscripts and music scores from Puccini’s operas, photographs, paintings, a piano, a costume from an opera, and a wide range of memorabilia.

Lucca Puccini House Museum Visitor Information

• Hours: Daily from May 1 – October 31, 10 AM – 7 PM; April from 10 AM – 6 PM. From November to March, opening at 10 AM with variable closing times. Closed on Tuesdays and on December 25.
• Admission: €7 for an adult ticket.
• Guided Tours in English: Every Friday at noon, from June through September, free with admission. Group tours can be arranged for a fee at other times.
• Website: Visit the Puccini Museum website for updated hours, pricing, and information on special events.
• Location: Corte San Lorenzo 8, off Piazza Citadella (notable for its statue of Puccini).

Puccini Museums and Concerts

Concerts in Lucca: From March 31 to October 31, concerts take place every evening at 7 PM in San Giovanni Church. During the winter months (November through March 31), concerts are scheduled for Fridays and Saturdays at 7 PM in the Cathedral Museum Oratorio. Stay informed about the schedule to enjoy Puccini’s remarkable works.

Torre del Lago Puccini: Puccini transformed an ancient watchtower on Lake Massaciuccoli, approximately 25 kilometers from Lucca, into a villa, where he composed many famous operas. This villa is now a museum, and the Puccini Opera Festival is held during the summer in an outdoor theater overlooking the scenic lake.

Celle dei Puccini: Located about half an hour from Lucca, near Pescaglia, this is the picturesque house where Puccini and his family spent their summers during his childhood. The house has been converted into a museum showcasing family furniture, portraits, letters, notebooks, a phonograph gifted to him by Edison, and a piano where he composed parts of the opera Madame Butterfly.