Jacopo Puccini

Jacopo (Giacomo) Puccini^[1] (Italian: [ˈjaːkopo putˈtʃiːni]; 26 January 1712 – 16 May 1781) was an 18th-century Italian composer who lived and worked primarily in Lucca, Tuscany. He was the first of five generations of composers, the most famous of whom was his great-great-grandson, the opera composer Giacomo Puccini.^[2][3]

Jacopo Puccini

Career

Puccini studied in Bologna under Giuseppe Carretti, who was maestro di cappella at Bologna's San Petronio Basilica.^[4][5] In Bologna Puccini became friends with Padre Martini.^[5] After returning to Lucca in 1739, he served as organist in the cathedral and later Maestro di Cappella to the Most Serene Republic.^[4] Puccini belonged to the Accademia Filarmonica of Bologna and was a skilled teacher.^[3]

His musical style incorporated elements of both the Baroque and early Classic periods.^[6] Puccini was known as an excellent organist.^[4] He wrote many dramatic and sacred works, including a Te Deum for four voices and instruments, a Domine for four voices, masses, and psalm settings.^[4][5] Between 1733 and 1780, Puccini wrote 31 servizi ecclesiastici for the annual Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross (Festa della Esaltazione della Santa Croce).^[4][5] Some of Puccini's works, including a processional motet in eight voices, continued to be performed into at least the early 19th Century.^[4] A Requiem for eight voices by Puccini was performed at the Vienna Musical Exposition of 1892, together with music by his son Antonio, grandson Domenico, and great-grandson Michele.^[7] He was the teacher of opera composer Pietro Alessandro Guglielmi.^[8]

Compositions

• Messa a 3 (1760). Consists of Kyrie, Gloria, and Credo. Scored for 2 violins in unison, cello, bass, continuo, and three-part chorus (SSA or SAA). Original title: 1760/ Messa Piena a 3 voci, cioè Canto, e due Alti/ Con violini a beneplacito Unis: [soni]/ Per il Concerto di S. Giovannetto/ di Giacomo Puccini.^[2]
• Messa di requiem (1760). Requiem mass for 8 voices, strings, and continuo.^[6]

The Puccini musical dynasty

Five generations of the Puccini family were composers in Lucca.^[2][3][9]

• Jacopo Puccini ("Giacomo Puccini senior"): 26 January 1712 – 16 May 1781.
• Antonio Benedetto Maria Puccini: 30 July 1747 – 10 February 1832.
• Domenico Vincenzo Maria Puccini: 5 April 1772 – 25 May 1815.
• Michele Puccini: 27 November 1813 – 23 Jan 1864.
• Giacomo Puccini: 22 December 1858 – 29 November 1924.