Appendix III.14. Tota pulchra es

The newspaper article quoted in 102 also mentions a composition by Puccini with the text of the “Tota pulchra es,” said to exist at the convent in Vicopelago. The text derived from Solomon’s Song of Songs (4,7) is part of the Graduale in the mass for the feast of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary held on 8 December. Actually, there is such a composition preserved at the convent, but it was obviously composed by Puccini’s grandfather Domenico whose name appears on one of the parts.