However , the Credo had already been written and performed in 1878 and was initially conceived by Puccini as a self - contained work .
It had its first performance in Lucca on July 12 , 1880 .
The Credo had already been written and performed in 1878 and was initially conceived by Puccini as a self - contained work .
It had its first performance in Lucca on July 12 , 1880 .