Balfe

Balfe, MICHAEL WILLIAM, composer, was born in Dublin, 15th May 1808. His musical talent received early culture, and in his ninth year he made his début as a violinist, having begun to compose at least two years earlier. In 1823 he came to London, and during 1825–26 studied in Italy under Paer, Galli, Federici, and Rossini. In 1826 he wrote the music for a ballet, La Pérouse, performed at Milan; and in 1827 he sang in the Italian Opera at Paris with great applause, his voice being a pure rich baritone. In 1833 he returned to England, and in 1846 was appointed conductor of the London Italian Opera. He died at Rowley Abbey, his estate in Hertfordshire, 20th October 1870. Of his numerous operas, operettas, and other compositions, produced in rapid succession from 1830, the most permanently successful have been The Bohemian Girl (1843), The Rose of Castile (1857), and Il Talismano (1874). If Balfe was wanting in depth and dramatic force, he had a very thorough knowledge of effect and command of orchestral resources; and his compositions are distinguished by fluency, facility, and melodic power. Some of the defects of his operas may be justly attributed to 'Poet Bunn,' the theatrical manager, who at once wrote and translated the libretti, and put the operas on the stage. Many of Balfe's songs are admirable. See Kenney's Memoir of Balfe (1875), and Barrett's Balfe and his Works (1882).