What are we to make of the life, music and spiritual beliefs of Giacomo Puccini, the composer said to be responsible for fully one quarter of all opera performances in the United States today? Puccini, who died a century ago on Nov. 29, 1924, has been called the world’s most popular songwriter, notwithstanding his modern heirs and successors, and with good reason.

In a 10-year burst of creativity at the turn of the 20th century, the Tuscan maestro turned out “Manon Lescaut,” “La Bohème,” “Tosca” and “Madama Butterfly,” any one of which would have conclusively made his reputation.