Harmonizing Hospitality: Inside the Grand Universe Lucca Hotel, Where Your Stay Comes with a Personal Symphony

“Do you have a favorite type of music?” Dimitri asked, leaning slightly forward. The dim light from the chandelier above highlighted his wire-framed glasses as he peered at me with curiosity.

“My two favorite types of music are Colombian pop and Texas country,” I answered.

He furrowed his brow and gazed toward the blank sheet of music resting on the grand piano. “Hmmm, I am not familiar with those types of music,” he replied in a thick Italian accent. 

We were seated in the heart of the Grand Universe Lucca hotel. Originally built as a glassblower’s studio during Roman times, the building has witnessed the evolution of local music from the delicate compositions of the Renaissance to the grand operas of the 19th century. Lucca, a walled medieval town in Tuscany, has given birth to numerous notable musicians, but none more famous than Giacomo Puccini. Composer of operatic masterpieces like La Bohème, Madama Butterfly, and Tosca, Puccini is acclaimed as one of opera’s grandest maestros.

It was here, within the Grand Universe Lucca’s walls, where Puccini and his contemporaries would gather in the late 19th century when the hotel was known as a hub for creative minds. Today the hotel maintains its role as a source of inspiration for artists by showcasing Puccini’s impressive musical legacy. The 55 rooms are grouped into music-themed categories, from the intimate Piccolo Room to the grand Puccini Suite.

The Prelude of Existence

Perhaps the most impressive nod to Puccini is the hotel’s in-house composer who writes a personalized prelude for guests. During a 60-minute session the hotel’s composer asks guests to share details about their lives, musical preferences, joys and tribulations. He or she then translates all this information into a musical piece that reflects the guest’s personal story. 

On this particular Thursday afternoon the classically trained Dimitiri has been tasked with merging rhythms of Shakira and Willie Nelson into a three-minute prelude that encapsulates my life’s story. I lean back into the velvety white chair, take a sip of prosecco served with the experience and watch him sketch out his ideas. He writes a line of musical notes before placing the pencil between his lips and pressing down on the keys to hear the melody he just wrote. At times he would check in with me to ask if I liked the melody, at other times he immediately grabbed the pencil from his mouth and furiously erased what didn’t sound right. This working out notes in pursuit of the perfect melody went on for a while. I looked out the window at the Piazza del Giglio. 

A City Echoing with History

The ghost of Puccini whispers beyond the walls of the hotel and out into the grand cathedrals, charming piazzas and narrow cobblestone streets of the well-preserved Renaissance town. The Puccini Museum a few blocks away from Grand Universe Lucca was the birthplace and childhood home of the illustrious composer. The museum staff  meticulously restored the rooms to reflect the authentic atmosphere of his formative years. The museum houses an array of personal artifacts, the Steinway & Sons piano that gave life to Turandot, letters to friends and family as well as signed scores of his early works. 

The Cattedrale di San Martino standing in Piazza San Martino isn’t just another striking Romanesque cathedral. It’s the spot where Puccini first cultivated his musical palate by blending his voice with the harmonies of the church choir. Today the cathedral houses a collection of artwork including the legendary Volto Santo, a deeply revered wooden crucifix dated to the 13th century that continues to draw pilgrims on a spiritual quest to the streets of Lucca. 

Beyond the museum and cathedral, Lucca itself serves as a living monument to the maestro’s illustrious career. Established in the 17th century, the Teatro del Giglio is Lucca’s historic city theater and opera house. The theater located across the piazza from Grand Universe Lucca frequently showcases works like La Bohème and Madama Butterfly for those who want to experience the impassioned world of Puccini’s operas during your stay. Furthermore, the city of Lucca comes alive with the spirit of Puccini through various festivals and events dedicated to celebrating his legacy. These gatherings provide a unique opportunity to engage with the composer’s work, surrounded by the very landscapes that inspired him.

At the end of our hour together, Dimitri placed his fingers on the keys to play the full melody. This prelude combined the quick tempo of Colombian pop with the dramatic highs and lows indicative of a country song. When he handed me the sheet filled with the music of my life I noticed all the scribbles and erased notes scattered across the page, just like all the mistakes and corrections that have sculpted my life’s path. With my grasp of Italian too limited to express the full depth of my appreciation, I simply offered Dimitri a heartfelt “Grazie” before heading out in search of gelato.

Jennifer Simonson is a travel writer by trade and a lover of the world’s food, cultures, drinks and outdoor spaces by nature. She’s on Twitter @jennisimonson.