The
next month was to be among the most important in her life. Cerquetti made
her first and only commercial recordings, “La Gioconda” featuring Simionato,
Del Monaco, Bastianini and Siepi in a well balanced and extremely exciting
performance, and her one solo recital for London/Decca , which includes the
fabled “O Re dei Cieli”.
Far more important, though, was her marriage to Edo Ferretti just before she
appeared at Verona’s Arena in “Norma” with Simionato and Corelli. It was to
be a wonderful partnership and Anita was overjoyed to finally find some personal
fulfillment.
The rest of the summer was spent at Rome’s Caracalla in “Aida” and “La Forza
del Destino”.
Cerquetti was scheduled for a debut at Mexico City in October, but before
leaving Italy she appeared with RAI in "La Forza del Destino” and “Oberon”,
both preserved on CD. They are superb examples of character drawn in extraordinarily
vivid terms. “Oberon” is among her very grandest vocal displays and the author
is not the only observer who feels that “Mare, superbo Mare” (Ozean) is the
most satisfying recording of the aria ever made.
At Mexico City she triumphed in “Aida” and “Il Trovatore” and was begged to
extend her commitment for additonal performances. It was impossible since
she was contracted for two performances of “Norma” at Philadelphia, a concert
version of “Paride ed Elana” at New York’s Town Hall and a return to Chicago
for “Un Ballo in Maschera” and “Don Carlo”.