Appendix III.12. Valzer a Irma

Magri 1999, 49-50, mentions this previously unreported composition supposedly written by Puccini in mid-August 1898 during an overnight stay at “La Corona” Inn in Ponte a Serraglio (Lucca). Puccini must have been on an excursion from his vacation resort of Monsagrati (where he worked on Tosca (69) in Villa Mansi) to Bagni di Lucca. The dedicatee of this waltz, honored in its title, may have been Irma Bassi (born 1855), an aunt of the innkeeper.
Magri refers to verbal information provided by Guido Marotti, Puccini’s friend in his later years, and thinks it possible that the three-four time melodies sketched on the last page of 72.B.2 (reproduced as incipits in Kaye 1987, XVI), are the theme of this waltz. But this is merely speculation, particularly since 72.B.2 very probably has to be dated many months later.