 She also sang the title roles of Bellini's "Norma", Verdi's "Aida" (with Bernardo de Muro at the end of his career, 1944), and Ponchielli's "La Gioconda".In 1947, she made her New York City Opera debut, as Santuzza, conducted by Julius Rudel.Also in 1947, Nelli successfully auditioned for the conductor Arturo Toscanini (following the recommendation of Licia Albanese), and sang the part of Desdemona in the NBC Symphony Orchestra's concert version of Verdi's "Otello", opposite Ramón Vinay.