Research Paper on:
Mass Messa di Gloria by Puccini

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the same time indicating the extreme popularity enjoyed by the works of Puccini. Several of the operas composed by Puccini are among the most popular in the world. Indeed, as  Brown puts it, these operas form what can be regarded as the "bedrock" of the operatic repertoire. Nevertheless, there is a certain "snobbery" that disregards anything that appeals to the  mass populous (Brown 7) Such criticism is deaf to the "profound pathos" of Puccinis music simply because that pathos is so accessible to the average listener (Brown 7). Puccinis universal  lyricism transforms all of his music, "creating a magic that transcends real life" (Brown 7). While Puccini is best known for his operas, such as La Boheme (1896), Tosca  (1900), and Madame Butterfly (1904), his heritage, as a member of the Puccini family, was in religious music. Therefore, it can be seen that it is logical that one of  his first serious compositions was the Mass that is known as Messa di Gloria. Although this work is considered immature in some respects, it more than demonstrates the genius that  culminated in what are undoubtedly some of the worlds greatest operas. Before examining Messa di Gloria, however, it is instructive to see this work in relation to Puccinis early life,  which is when it was composed. Biographical data As previously mentioned, Giacomo Puccini (1858-1922) is, of course, most noted for his operas. However, a great deal of Puccinis early  compositions were of a religious nature, which was in keeping with his family heritage as church musicians. Puccini was born in 1858 in Lucca, a town in Tuscany, twelve miles  northeast of Pisa, Italy (Brown 16). Puccinis father was the fourth generation of the family to serve the republic and church as composers (Sadie 328). Puccini was educated by local