Enough to say that the troupe finally collected by Augustus Harris was the strongest heard in London for several years. The opening representation of “Aida" on June 13, with brand-new costumes and fresh scenery expressly imported from Italy, fairly took critics and opera-goers by surprise. The triumph of Jean de Eeszke was instantaneous and complete. Here, at last, was the great tenor for whom the world had been waiting since the death of Giuglini and the retirement of Mario !