Balfe, Michael William

From Encyclopediak

Baife, Michael William (1808-1870), a British composer, born in Dublin. He began his musical education under his father and gave his first public performance during his seventh year. At the age of 16 he took a prominent part in an opera produced at Drury Lane. He began composing in 1825, and his first opera was produced at Palermo in 1830. He was a prolific composer, and his operas, though lacking in dramatic force, are remarkable for their melodious effects. His best-known operas are The Bohemian Girl, The Rose of Castile and The Talisman.