On November 29, 1924, Giacomo Puccini, one of the greatest opera composers of all time, passed away in Brussels. A hundred years later, we commemorate his final days in the Belgian capital and the extraordinary circumstances that led to his state funeral, far from his beloved Italy.
An experimental treatment
In the fall of 1924, Puccini traveled to Brussels for an experimental treatment for throat cancer. The 65-year-old composer, renowned for masterpieces such as 'La Bohème', 'Tosca', and 'Madama Butterfly', chose the expertise of Dr. Leroux in Brussels over a similar treatment in Berlin. Puccini took up residence in a city palace at King Street 294, now known as Hotel Puccini. Despite his illness, he continued working on his final opera, 'Turandot', hoping to complete it during his stay in Brussels.
Incognito in the capital and fate strikes
The composer attempted to keep his presence in Brussels secret. Nevertheless, his stay was revealed on November 18 by the newspaper Le Soir, which the Italian embassy initially denied. Puccini even gave an exclusive interview to Le Soir in which he expressed his love for Brussels: "I already knew Brussels and I adore it; but imagine how much I will love the city if it restores my health."
Alas, fate struck. On November 29, 1924, Puccini succumbed to heart failure at Dr. Leroux's private clinic. His sudden death shocked the music world and led to an impressive state funeral in Brussels.
A royal farewell
The funeral service took place on December 1 at the Royal Saint Mary's Church in Schaarbeek. Thousands of people gathered along the three-kilometer route from the clinic to the church to pay their final respects to the maestro. The church was attended by dignitaries from Belgium and Italy, as well as representatives of the religious community under the leadership of the papal nuncio. The emotional highlight was the rendition of Gounod's "Ave Maria" by Laure Bergé, the principal soprano of the Royal Opera House.
After the service, Puccini's coffin was transported with great ceremony to the North Station where a special train awaited to bring him back to Italy. His remains were eventually interred in 1926 at his former residence, now the Museo Villa Puccini in Torre del Lago.
The Opera House honors Puccini with Turandot
A hundred years after Puccini's death, his musical legacy continues to live on. The Opera House in Brussels honors the composer earlier this year with a new production of 'Turandot', the opera he was unable to complete in Brussels. Additionally, the Choeur Sammartini is organizing a grand commemorative concert on November 29, 2024 in the Sint-Maria Church, exactly one century after Puccini's death.
Puccini's brief but meaningful stay in Brussels left an indelible mark on the city. His state funeral in the Belgian capital was a testament to the universal appreciation for his musical genius and a fitting tribute to one of the greatest composers of that era.
