Shaved his face clean like a seminarian. His tall and imposing stature presented the image of a boy who had not yet completely grown up. His physique was not really anything to speak about to the inattentive observer. But looking at him closely, you could notice a satin finish in his light coloured eyes. Then, suddenly a blinding light like a silent flash during a clear starry night would explode". (Eugenio Checchi 1890)

He was a successful musician. From 1890 onwards and with the triumphant of his opera La Cavalleria Rusticana he managed for over half a century to keep interest high in the major Italian, European and American opera theatres. He was an orchestra director, a music composer for cinema and a grand well-known personality. He was truly a phenomenon of his times. He was even famous for his proverbial full head of hair. According to popular legends Mascagni was identified with the mythical image of the happy man who blends together in himself youth and fame. He is the irresistible prototype of the Latin race - extrovert, dressed and groomed very well.

Mascagni confessed once to his biographer in Mascagni Speaks about S. De Carlo “the man that the world knows in me is not real. Everyone believes that I am made only to be funny and happy. But it is not like this. I am rather melancholy and I have to force myself not to show myself as I really am. Morini affirms that if you take away the hyperbole, the confession turns out to be sincere. “Gifted as he was with untiring energy carried so naturally by his tumulus movements and an internal exaltations,” continues Morini, “he happens to succumb in sensible measure to a dark lack of confidence and to repentant dejection”. Mascagni was always spontaneous and immediate when talking. He was a master in the art of diplomacy. He never learned to take the opportunity to keep quiet. Not withstanding this he knew how to win people over with his charm and his ability to make others want to court him. On 5 April 1897, the editor Giulio recalls “nothing surprises me about Mascagni. I do not consider him a bad man. In fact, I consider him quite the opposite. But he is like an electric battery that is not yet complete in the sense that he can shock, send out sparks and make random popping sounds. Let’s hope that platinum, copper, zinc and acids can find the right balance in order to make this battery work well. This was a very picturesque description containing a lot of truth. Mascagni had natural talent and an exuberant temperament. He was a rebel with words throughout his life, but less so with facts. Mascagni is difficult to label. He was the protagonist of sublime creations and dangerous falls. He had a entrepreneurial and adventurous spirit. He often threw himself with enthusiasm into every theatrical production. He was incapable of calculating risks and difficulties. Roberto Iovino’s biography identifies the causes for Mascagni’s bold attitude and sometimes thoughtless nature.