Statua di Giacomo Puccini a Lucca

Giacomo Puccini is Lucchese, or rather from "inside Lucca" having been born within this city's walls, in Via di Poggio, a centrally located street near beautiful Piazza San Michele.
The house where he was currently houses a museum dedicated to the great musician. Every year thousands of his fans from all over the globe make the journey to this museum.
A bronze statue of the musician was recently installed in front of the museum.

Following his initial experience as a composer-he is remembered for a famous motet he composed for the feast of the patron saint San Paolino - Puccini left Lucca for Milan, where he took lessons from Bazzini and Ponchielli and was soon ready for his opera debut at "Villi" which opened the doors of Casa Ricordi and would be the springboard for his prosperous career.
From this it would be possible to conclude that he grew away from Lucca, particularly since his personal life lead him to find asylum in Torre del Lago where he created his immortal operas.

But even in exile, Giacomo had a warm spot in his heart for Lucca, land of his ancestors, young man's dreams and love stories.
He was known to go from Torre del Lago to Lucca to visit his friends, and meet them in Caffè Caselli. On September afternoons, particularly Sundays, he could be founded sitting at an outdoor table in "La Stella Polare" cafè.
Puccini always had Lucca in his heart, and honored his city with his musical genius. Lucca is famous for its walls, churches, chalk statues, silk and its emigrants, but it is best known for the name of Puccini.
On the occasion of Puccini's death, Filippo Sacchi wrote in Corriere della Sera, "There are many countries where we do not see our flag, but we can find Puccini everywhere.
In overseas orchestras, suburban barrel organs, phonographs in villas, emigrants' barrel organs, in hotels, famous theatres, in movies and in concert halls".
And with Puccini we find Lucca, his city that he always loved.