Michael William Balfe was born in Dublin, Ireland on May 15, 1808. The
son of a dancing master, Michael was only six when he played the violin
for his father’s classes. In 1823, Balfe came to London where he studied
the violin and composition with private teachers and earned his living
as violinist and singer. Additional study took place in Italy in 1825,
including singing with Bordogni. Between 1828 and 1833 he appeared as
principal baritone of the Italian Opera and several other French
theaters in Paris. In 1835, he initiated an even more successful career
as composer of English operas, with _The Siege of Rochelle_, produced
that year in London. He continued writing numerous operas, producing his
masterwork, _The Bohemian Girl_, in 1843. Between 1846 and 1856 Balfe
traveled to different parts of Europe to attend performances of his
operas. In 1864 he left London to retire to his estate in Rowney Abbey
where he died on October 20, 1870.
_The Bohemian Girl_ is a classic of English opera. It was first produced
at Drury Lane in London on November 27, 1843, when it enjoyed a
sensational success. It was soon translated into French, German and
Italian and was extensively performed throughout Europe. The libretto,
by Alfred Bunn, was based on a ballet-pantomime by Vernoy de
Saint-Georges. The setting is Hungary in the 18th century, and its
heroine is Arline, daughter of Count Arnheim who, as a girl, had been
kidnapped by gypsies and raised as one of them. She is falsely accused
by the Count’s men of stealing a valuable medallion from the Count’s
palace and is imprisoned. Appearing before the Count to ask for
clemency, she is immediately recognized by him as his daughter.
Melodious selections from this opera are frequently heard. The most
famous single melody is “I Dream’d That I Dwelt in Marble Halls” which
Arline sings in the first scene of the second act as she recalls a
dream. “The Heart Bowed Down,” the Count’s song in the fourth scene of
the second act as he gazes longingly on a picture of his long lost
daughter, and “Then You’ll Remember Me,” a tenor aria from the third act
are also familiar.