Time-line: 1825-1834

In Search of a Career In 1825, Balfe, interested in broadening his studies he first went to Paris where he was introduced to the great composer, Luigi Cherubini, (1760-1842). He took lessons in composition with Cherubini during this period. Balfe spend the next few years in Italy studying with the singer, Filippo Galli (1783-1853). In Milan he studied harmony and counterpoint with Vincenzo Federici. How long he may have spent on these studies we do not know. He returned to Paris in 1827 where Cherubini introduced him to Gioachino Rossini who took a personal interest in him and his musical talents. At Rossini’s invitation Balfe made his debut early in 1828 at the Theatre des Italiens as “Figaro”.

The Emerging Singer and Composer - Italy Balfe a baritone, decided to return to Italy late in 1828. In December he performed at a concert in Milan. Towards the end of December 1828, Balfe went on to Bologna where he became the guest of Rossini’s friend, Marchese Francesco Sampieri, an important patron of the arts and a composer, whom he had met in Paris. Here he met the young soprano Giulia Grisi at the start of what would become a brilliant career for the soprano in Europe, Russia and briefly America. These two young vocalists, Balfe aged 21 and Grisi 18 were immediately attracted to each other. They enjoyed each others’ company and musical talents. Balfe composed a musical cantata for Grisi to perform. This early relationship in Italy developed into a life-long friendship that lasted until the tragic death of the great soprano in 1868 in Berlin. She was the premier soprano in London and Paris for decades.

Italy - 1829   During this period in Italy, Balfe composed his first and only known Symphony and a Cantata which Giulia Grisi and the tenor Francesco Pedrazzi sang. Balfe was also recognized by the prestigious Bologna Academy of Music, for his talents. He was made an honorary member of the Academy in the composer category. After Bologna, Balfe moved south, to Palermo, in Sicily where he had an operatic engagement. He subsequently sang in several operas. The next several years were spent as a singer and a composer of operas. By 1833, he had composed three operas which had been produced at Palermo (1829), Pavia (1831) and Milan (1833). It was also during this time (1831) while in Milan that he first met and later married Lina (Magdalena) Roser (1810-1888), who was then singing in Bellini, Donizetti and Rossini operas and the works of other composers. Lina Roser was performing at the Teatro Carcano in Milan during Carnivale 1830/31 when soprano Giuditta Pasta  and tenor, Giovanni Battista Rubini, created Bellini’s “La Sonnambula”  in March 1831.

Balfe & Maria Malibran at La Scala, Milan In May 1834 Balfe made his debut at La Scala, Milan, singing opposite his friend, the renowned mezzo-soprano, Maria Malibran (1808-1836), in Rossini’s “Otello”.  The performances were so successful that they gave repeat performances in October of the same year at La Scala with the same cast.