Meanwhile, in her first season at the Met, 1886–87, Förster sang several roles in German, including the title role of the Queen of Sheba in Goldmark's "Die Königin von Saba", Elsa in "Lohengrin", Irene in Wagner's "Rienzi", the title role in the Met premiere of Verdi's "Aida" and Elizabeth in "Tannhäuser". She earned praise from critics and audiences alike and was featured on the cover of the "Musical Courier", a major music magazine of the day. The next season, she repeated the role of Elsa but then left the Met and then sang with the German-language Thalia Theatre, again earning good reviews. Although she sang for several more years, her career did not progress. Nevertheless, happy in New York, Herbert and Förster decided to remain in America after their first season at the Metropolitan Opera and eventually became citizens.