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
Alfano Alfano Alfano (Cilentan: "Alfànu") is a village and small "comune" in the province of Salerno in the Campania region of south-western Italy. As of December 31, 2012 the comune had a population of 1082. There is little reliable evidence on the ancient history of Alfano. However, according to tradition a large city existed on the slopes of Mount Centaurino, near the present frazione of Roccagloriosa, but this would have been destroyed in a catastrophic earthquake. In 1496 the town was given to the Neapolitan noble Giovanni Carafa, Duke of Paliano. Alfano borders with the municipalities of Laurito, Roccagloriosa and Rofrano.