45. Fuga

Erroneously determining 45.B.1 to be complete, Hopkinson deemed this fragment as the “definitive version”, which is also incorrect. In Mostra 1974, Cavalli classified this fugue (which is actually a double fugue) as a vocal work (“fuga vocale”) because of Puccini’s use of the “old” clefs.
It is doubtful that 45.B.1 and 45.B.2 are in Puccini’s handwriting. They could well have been written by his brother Michele, as fair copies of Giacomo’s work. Since this composition was part of Puccini’s gift to I-Li, it can be assumed to be an authentic work, and not Michele’s.