Raffaele, the only child of Raffaele d'Alessandro and Anna Barbara Schlapp, is born in St. Gallen. His father, Raffaele, comes from Italy, his mother from Graubünden.
1924
13-year-old Raffaele meets Victor Schlatter, who is his first teacher. Schlatter gives him organ lessons, introducing him to the world of French music by presenting him with compositions by the great French organists, especially Tournemire.
1931
10 September
Death of his father.
1 December
Raffaele becomes a Swiss citizen.
1932
October
Quits his job in business.
1932
Moves to Zurich.
Studies harmony and counterpoint, first under Paul Müller and then under Willy Schuh.
His studies are financed by the Zurich organist Ida Zürcher.
