Some surprises were, however, held in store for New York in the following year. The London 1879 season had added Minnie Hauk, and Clara Louise Kellogg to the female company (still led by Nilsson, Trebelli and Gerster), and Campanini was supported by the tenors Giuseppe Fancelli, Frapolli and Brignoli. Fancelli was infuriated by Campanini assuming the title 'Primo Tenore Assoluto'. The October 1879 tour season, in which Maria Marimon was among the party, visited New York, and went on to Philadelphia, Chicago, St Louis, Detroit, Cleveland and elsewhere. Campanini conquered New York. On 23 October at the Academy they gave the American premiere of Carmen, with Minnie Hauk, Clarice Sinico (Micaela), Ernesto del Puente, and Campanini in his now famous role of Don José. On December 3 he appeared as Elvino in "La sonnambula", with Marimon, del Puente and Mme Lablache, and on December 12 was Corentino in Meyerbeer's "Dinorah", again with Marimon. Later in the season, when Mdlle Marimon was unable to complete a performance of "Dinorah" at Philadelphia, Campanini (in the audience) and Annie Louise Cary stepped in to sing the last acts of "Il trovatore" instead, and Campanini's rendition of "Di quella pira" brought the house down and saved the box-office.