Giacomo Puccini has been and is considered by many to be the greatest composer of opera that has lived. In May 1904 he discussed creativity with Arthur Abell which was subsequently transcribed in the book ‘Talks with Great Composers‘ published by Carol Publishing Group. Puccini summed up what has been written of what other great composers communicated and referred to earlier in this dissertation. “The great secret of all creative geniuses is that they possess the power to appropriate the beauty, wealth, grandeur and sublimity contained in their own souls, and to communicate them to others. The conscious , purposeful appropriation of one’s own soul forces is the supreme secret. Grasp the full force of the soul power that is within you. Feel the intense resolve, and the burning desire to create something worthwhile anywhere in life, in any field in life. This desire, this longing implies in itself the knowledge that you can attain the goal. Make a fervent demand for and from the power that created you. This power is limitless. This demand or prayer must be coupled with full expectation that this higher aid will be granted to you. This perfect faith opens the way for vibrations from the dynamo which the soul center is, into consciousness and then the inspired idea is born. the inspiration ‘from above’ stimulates the intellect and the emotions. An inspired person sees things in an entirely different light from one who is not inspired. Inspiration is an awakening, a quickening of all man’s faculties and it is manifested in all high artistic achievements. It is an overwhelming, a compelling force: it is in short Divine Influence”
Earlier in 1890 Arthur Abel met with Richard Strauss in Weimar, Germany and the great genius added to Arthur Abell’s catalog of insights by advising “I am definitely conscious of being aided by more than earthly power, and it is responsive to my determined suggestions. A firm belief in this power must precede the ability to draw on it purposefully and intelligently. I can tell you from my own experience that an ardent desire and a fixed purpose, combined with an intense resolve, brings results. Determined, concentrated thought is a tremendous force,and this Divine power is responsive to it. I am convinced this is a law, and that it holds good in any human endeavor.”