Puccini's Messa di Gloria

If you have even a bare, passing knowledge of classical music, you will recognize the name of  the Italian composer Puccini, a Tuscan native living during the late 1800s to mid 1900s. Recognized most for his opera works, La Boheme, Madama Butterfly, Tosca, he is credited with harnessing the symphony orchestra to most support words set to music.

One of my goals in Florence is to hear great musical works live, performed in these magnificent churches. Not one week in, we heard about the Municipal Choir of Florence performing Puccini's Messa di Gloria with soloists and 2 pianists playing on one Steinway grand, known as 4-hands. It is a rare treat indeed to see an accompaniment like this: imagine the orchestral score being reduced to a piano score! All performed in the Basilica di San Spirito, itself dating from 1444.

To hear an excerpt, here's a similar, short clip, that will give you a sense of the layering, the fullness, and the Gloria indeed to the religious setting.