in 1868, brocolini moved back to brooklyn and continued his journalism career, eventually writing editorials for the "brooklyn eagle" by the 1870s. he continued to sing in concerts, appearing as bass soloist at the brooklyn academy of music and at various churches and other venues, and toured with susan galton's operetta company. he even produced some opera in brooklyn. in 1872, he sang at a concert at the church of the messiah in brooklyn, held to dedicate a new organ. the same year, he was leading the newly formed brooklyn operatic association and performed in "the pearl of baghdad", an opera by john m. loretz. through the early 1870s, he became increasingly well known as a singer in new york city. finally, in 1875, his friends at the newspaper decided to raise money to send him to study singing in milan, italy. brocolini wrote, "the complete change in my life was effected in less than three hours... they put in what money they could themselves, called on my wealthy friends in brooklyn for subscriptions, and in less than three hours they raised $5500 for me."