Sold for a modest price, La Musica popolare 's objective was to provide sheet music to Italian families. In addition, it published portraits of composers, instrumentalists and singers, along with their biographical sketches, as well as technical articles on music literature written in an uncomplicated manner. In this sense it reflects efforts by the intellectual class with a liberal-radical or a socialist orientation to popularize the arts and sciences. The greatest attention in the music supplements is given to the compositions of about sixty young and little-known composers of the era. Among them, the name of the young Giacomo Puccini stands out.
Informative comments introduce each musical supplement.
One hundred and fourteen portraits are published in the journal. There are also over twenty illustrations of theatres, stage settings and instruments. Also important in reviews of instrumental music are the activities of the Societ del Quartetto.