Michael W. Balfe (1808-1870)
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Ireland’s Finest: musicians who have put Ireland on the classical map
5. Michael W. Balfe (1808-1870)
After a short career as a violinist, Balfe pursued an operatic singing career, while composing. He wrote 38 operas, almost 250 songs as well as other works. He was also a noted conductor, directing Italian opera at Her Majesty's Theatre for seven years. His most famous work is ‘The Bohemian Girl’, loosely based on a Cervantes story, which features the popular aria, ‘I dreamt I dwelt in marble halls’.
