"The promises made by the Festival Association have been fulfilled to the letter, and the great temple of Art stood ready for the thousands for whom it was built. Not a single pledge made in reference to this building but what has been discharged, and the Manager is entitled to the thanks, and, indeed, the gratitude of the refined and music-loving classes of this community for the very thorough and self-sacrificing way in which all essentials and minor details of comfort and convenience have been achieved." On the second night _L'Africaine_ was performed, when a similar gathering attended. The audience was just as brilliant as on the previous evening, everyone being in full evening dress. Mdme. Fursch-Madi gave an effective interpretation of the title _rôle_, De Anna as "Nelusko" created quite a sensation, and Cardinali was an admirable Vasco di Gama. On the third evening Gounod's _Mirella_, an opera never before heard in Chicago, was chosen for the first appearance of Mdlle. Nevada, and given with immense success, the part of the gipsy being taken by Mdme. Scalchi. This was followed on Thursday night by _Linda di Chamouni_, in which Mdme. Patti and Mdme. Scalchi appeared together. The _Semiramide_ night had been thought a great one, but the audience on this occasion consisted of probably 2,000 more. Where they went to or where they stood it was impossible to say. Certain it is that 9,000 people paid for seats, irrespective of those who remained standing. On the following evening Mdlle. Nevada appeared as "Lucia," and scored another triumph; whilst Patti and Scalchi drew 11,000 persons more for the morning performance. This was really a day for memory. The attendance consisted mostly of ladies, all tastefully, and often elaborately, dressed in the very latest fashion. Weber's _Der Freischütz_ was performed in the evening, which terminated the first week of the Festival. The second week we opened with _La Sonnambula_ to an audience of some 8,000 persons, the next night being devoted to the presentation of Verdi's _Aida_, with the following great cast:-- "Aida" ... ... ... Patti. "Amneris" ... ... ... Scalchi. "Amonasro" ... ... ... De Anna. "Rhadames" ... ... Nicolini. Some 12,000 people attended this performance. The disagreeable weather did not seem to keep anyone away, and the streets were blocked with carriages for many squares, as far as the eye could reach. I was assured afterwards by an inspector that but for the aid of the rain, which came down in sheets, it would have been impossible to cope with the vast crowds who still poured in, attempting to enter the building.