The New Student's Reference Work/Balfe, Michael William

Balfe (bălf), Michael William, a musician and composer (born 1808, died 1870). He studied under various masters, and in 1826 wrote his first work, La Perouse, which was performed at Milan. In the same year he sang in Italian opera at Paris, and later conducted the London Italian opera. His most successful operas are The Bohemian Girl, The Rose of Castile and The Talisman. Many of his songs are favorites.