The former Lake Como residence of opera composer Giacomo Puccini has been put up for sale.
The large property composed of two buildings in the hillside village of Caprino is the site of Puccini’s troubled love story with Elvira Bonturi, a married woman who became pregnant with Puccini’s child. To escape the scandal, the two found a refuge into the property, which, at the time (1886), was an inn. It was here that Puccini composed his second – unsuccessful - opera, Edgar, after the owners found him a piano to rent.
Puccini was able to marry Bonturi after her husband was killed. However, their marriage would be troubled by Puccini’s infidelity as the composer, like Bonturi’s first husband, had a series of affairs.
The property, which, as described by the estate agent, includes a plot of land and could be converted into a B&B, is being sold at the price of €400,000.
Puccini, who composed such masterpieces as Madama Butterfly, Tosca and Turandot, would later move to Torre del Lago, a small community near Lucca, his hometown, and would spend most of his time there.
