The Church of SS. Paolino and Donato was the parish church of the Puccini family which lived nearby. For this reason, the archives contain important documentation, which also covers the Puccini family: the so-called states of souls – compiled by the pastors of the time in Lent every year when blessing the houses – systematically record family situations, including temporary absences of any family member; The Books of the Dead provide the dates of the various deaths, and often information on the place of burial.

t can be said that in this church Giacomo Puccini had his baptism as a composer: on 12 July, 1877,the feast of S. Paolino, in a church-service largely played by the students of theIstituto Musicale “G. Pacini”,his Mottetto for baritone , chorus for 4 voices and orchestra was performed.

The Mottetto was clearly very much appreciated, as it was repeated the following year along with a new creed, which was also very much appreciated.

On 12 July, 1880 the performance of a “great service” – the Mass for 4 voices with orchestra, and the aforementioned Mottetto inserted after the Credo– ratified the completion of his studies at the local Institute of Music.

The citizens of Lucca had the confirmation that Puccini, heir of a glorious family, could become a composer such “as to be pointed out as one of the best of his contemporaries”. In fact, the Mass is his first masterpiece, and was well etched in the memory of the composer, who repeatedly drew from it, even for his more important theatrical works: see the Agnus Dei which becomes the Madrigal in Act II of Manon Lescaut.