The season opened with _Semiramide_, followed immediately by _Fidelio_, _Norma_, _Huguenots_, _Lucrezia_, etc., which were played one after the other until the arrival of Nilsson, who sang first in _Faust_, and immediately afterwards in Balfe's _Talismano_, after which I called on her to appear as "Lucrezia." The next morning I had a visit from her agent requesting me not to press the matter, as she was not quite prepared. I thereupon said "Semiramide" would do as well; to this he offered some objection; but at length, on my urging "Fidelio," he explained to me that if I insisted upon her playing any of those characters which she had expressly stipulated for I should mortally offend her. I could not even induce her to appear as "Donna Anna." Not one of those parts which she had reserved for her exclusive use was she able to undertake. We, therefore, had to fall back on _Faust_, alternated with _La Traviata_. Finally a compromise was made whereby Mdme. Nilsson undertook the _rôle_ of "Donna Elvira" in _Don Giovanni_, Mdlle. Titiens retaining her great impersonation of "Donna Anna," in which she was acknowledged throughout the world of music to be unrivalled. This happy combination having been brought about, the season concluded with my benefit, when _Don Giovanni_ was given to some £1,200 receipts. During the autumn of 1873 I made my usual operatic tour, commencing in Dublin about the middle of September, where we remained three weeks, afterwards visiting Belfast, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Newcastle, Liverpool, Manchester, Birmingham, Bristol, Bath, and Brighton, where we concluded on the 20th December. Early in January, 1874, I again gave my usual forty-eight concerts in the various cities, opening the Edinburgh opera season about the middle of February. We afterwards visited other places, which brought us on to the London season, when I again occupied Drury Lane Theatre. During this year I produced Auber's _Crown Diamonds_, and afterwards Balfe's _Talismano_, in which Mdlle. Nilsson undertook the principal _rôle_, Marie Roze appearing as the "Queen." Balfe's opera was very successful, and this, coupled with the alternate appearances of Titiens and Nilsson in other characters, followed by the revival of the _Magic Flute_, in which the whole Company took part, brought the season to a successful conclusion. In the autumn of 1874 I opened, as usual, at Dublin, with a very powerful company, and continued out in the provinces until the latter part of December. I then went on the Continent in search of talent for the ensuing year, and returned in time to be present at my first concert, which took place in Liverpool early in January, 1875. We afterwards went through Ireland and the English provinces, commencing in the beginning of March the regular Italian Opera season in the northern capital, followed by Glasgow, Liverpool, &c.