Michael William Balfe (1808–1870) was an Irish composer, best remembered for his operas. Balfe was born in
Dublin and grew up on Pitt Street, which was renamed Balfe Street in 1917 in his honour. After moving to
Wexford with his family as a child, he began a career as a violinist, moving to
London in 1823 after his father's death, later relocating again to Italy and Switzerland, where he married the Hungarian-born singer Lina Roser. Balfe began pursuing an operatic singing career as well as composition, and moved back to London with his family in 1835. In a career spanning more than 40 years, he composed at least 29 operas, almost 250 songs, several
cantatas, and other works. He was also a noted conductor, directing Italian opera at
Her Majesty's Italian Opera House for seven years, among other conducting posts. His most notable opera is
The Bohemian Girl, which continues to be performed. This photograph of Balfe was taken by the studio of the French photographer
Nadar; this
albumen print was made in 1900.
Photograph credit: Nadar; restored by Adam Cuerden
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