Rosa Raisa newspaper that she had playfully told Puccini that he "better be sure to put in plenty of high C's." On October 7, 1924, less than two months before Puccini died, Angelo Scandiani, administrative director of La Scala, wired Herbert Johnson of the Chicago Opera that Puccini and Toscanini had cast three Chicago Opera artists, Rosa Raisa, Edith Mason, and Giaccomo Rimini, for the lead roles in the upcoming "Turandot". At that time it was thought that the premiere would take place in April 1925, but Puccini's death at the end of November 1924 postponed these plans; Franco Alfano was selected
Enrico Alfano had become the head of the Camorra after the death of the legendary "capintesta" (head-in-chief) Ciccio Cappuccio in 1892, although other sources disagree over his rise to power. According to a "New York Times" report on the Cuocolo trial in 1911, Alfano was below medium height but a man of commanding presence; across his cheek he bore a long scar, the "sfregio" (a knife slash for dishonour; a sign of Camorra punishment). "The New York Times" reported that he was arrested many times as an accomplice in homicide, robbery and less important charges, but had never been convicted. According to