In 1924, Giacomo Puccini was indisputably the most renowned, successful, wealthy, and frequently performed living composer in the world. However, the maestro had a big vice: he was an avid smoker. This habit took its toll on him when, after visiting his doctor for a persistent cough and various respiratory issues, he received the devastating diagnosis of an inoperable throat tumor.
Beyond the terrible news, what frustrated him the most was having to halt the creative process of “Turandot,” a work he had envisioned for almost a decade and was finally nearing completion. Puccini was advised by another doctor to go to Brussels to try an experimental treatment with radium. On Nov.
24, 1924, the musician underwent a painful three-hour surgical operation. Although the operation was considered a total success, Puccini died five days later in the Belgian capital at the age of 65, following an internal hemorrhage. Consequently, “Turandot” remained unfinished, as Puccini died just before beginning to compose the long-awaited final duet that he had been postponing until the right moment of inspiration.
For the last two scenes, he left only a musical sketch without continuity. Thus, Arturo Toscanini decided that the opera should be completed by the verismo composer Franco Alfano under his supervision. The famous conductor, besides being a close friend of Puccini, perfectly understood the Tuscan composer’s style and intentions.
This friendship and admiration for the maestro from.