In 1883, a young Giacomo Puccini entered a one-act opera competition in Milan. He lost. But that failure – his first opera, Le Willis – caught the attention of the powerful Ricordi publishing house, launching the career of the man who would become Italy’s greatest post-Verdi composer.

In this episode of Lives in Song, host Flora Willson is joined by opera scholar Alexandra Wilson to uncover the fascinating origins of Le Willis. Together, they explore Puccini’s student days in Milan, his early symphonic ambitions, and the supernatural legend of the Willis – ghosts of jilted brides who dance men to death. Featuring extracts from Opera Rara’s complete recording, discover the energy of La Tregenda – the witches’ dance – and the melodic genius that signalled the arrival of a new operatic master.

“It’s incredible to think that symphonic music, orchestral music, was new music as far as Puccini’s generation were concerned. I mean, I don’t think a Beethoven symphony was heard in Italy until Puccini’s teenage years.” – Alexandra Wilson