Giacomo Puccini was an Italian composer, born in 1858 and active until 1924, renowned for his enduring impact on opera. Hailed as the leading figure in Italian opera after Verdi, Puccini came from a distinguished family of composers. His music began in the Romantic tradition before evolving into the emotionally charged verismo style, for which he became a major representative. Puccini’s best-known operas, including La bohème, Tosca, Madama Butterfly, and Turandot, remain cornerstones of the operatic repertoire and are celebrated for their powerful melodies and dramatic intensity.