1953
Anita returned to Perugia for a recital of arias from “Trovatore”, “La Forza del Destino” and “Aida” on 6 January 1953 and two weeks later she sang an all Verdi program at Busseto. The selections included “Madre, madre pietosa Vergine”, the Recordare from the Manzoni Requiem with Amelia Lazzarini, “O cieli azzurri” and the trio from “I Lombardi” “Qui posa il fianco”.
This concert reintroduced Anita to several prominent impressarios, who were impressed enough that they attempted to gain her commitment as her manager.
She, however, had other plans. She had decided to continue vocal training, and she enrolled at the school of the Teatro Comunale at Florence where she buried herself in exercises to improve her technique as well as being coached in stage deportment.
On 2 August Anita finally broke away from the ranks of the provinces when she debuted at the Verona Arena as Aida. Her reviews compared her not unfavorably to Maria Callas who had preceded her in the production and on the 13th she sang a performance of “Il Trovatore” before some twenty thousand.
Again, the purity of her line, the strength of her voice and her imperious presence were highlighted in the next day’s reviews.
It seemed that the time for stardom had finally arrived, and Anita keenly anticipated other offers. They were not to be found. She again had to content herself with concerts, one at Rimini on 20 August and another at Montecatini on 6 September.