Profile: Giacomo Puccini

Emotional, sentimental and well-crafted, these are but some of the words used to describe Giacomo Puccini's music. He was an Italian composer of the Romantic period who comes from a family of church musicians. Puccini's La Bohème is considered by many as his masterpiece.

Music Education in the News: Simone Young, conductor of the Hamburg State Opera, has extended her contract to 2015.

This Day in Music History: 1933 - Country artist Willie Nelson, whose hits include "Always on My Mind'', was born in Texas.