In 1926, Arturo Toscanini conducted the first performance of Giacomo Puccini's opera "Turandot" at La Scala, Milan.

CNN: Friday,

Puccini's opera is based on Victorien Sardou's play "La Tosca, " which was written for the actress Sarah Bernhardt in the late 19th century.

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In a slightly more traditional vein, Spoleto presented a double bill of obscure verismo one-acts, Umberto Giordano's "Mese Mariano" (1910) and Giacomo Puccini's first opera, "Le Villi" (1884).

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Hao studied Puccini's texts and the opera for about a month.

NPR: Chinese Composer Gives 'Turandot' a Fresh Finale

In 1918, "Gianni Schicchi, " a one-act opera by Giacomo Puccini, was first performed at New York's Metropolitan opera.

CNN: Monday,

Now, with a diet of soaps, pop music and quiz shows pouring out on Mr Berlusconi's TV channels, Italy's great opera composers of the 19th and 20th centuries Verdi and Puccini are no longer flavour of the month.

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His music reached far beyond the usual opera audience, particularly his signature tune Nessun Dorma, from Puccini's Turandot, which became associated with the 1990 football World Cup.

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