Time-line: 1835-1840

Balfe and Malibran in Venice Balfe sang again with Maria Malibran, this time in Venice. It was during this time that Gallo the owner of another theatre the Teatro Emeronittio appealed to Malibran for help since attendance at his Teatro had been greatly affected by the Diva’s appearance at La Fenice. In typical Malibran fashion she agreed to a special performance of Rossini’s Il barbiere di Siviglia (with Balfe as Figaro) at La Fenice.  Additionally, she also agreed to sing a performance of Bellini’s La Sonnambula (with Balfe at Rodolfo) at the Teatro Emeronittio as a benefit for Gallo. To show his appreciation, Gallo renamed his Theatre “Teatro M. F. G. Malibran” (Maria Felicia Garcia Malibran) in recognition of her generosity. This turned out to be a sensational performance. The theatre still retains the Malibran name today, in remembrance of that long ago eventful night in April 1835 when Malibran and Balfe sang together in Bellini’s beautiful opera in Venice. During this period Malibran recognized Balfe’s emerging musical talents as a composer. She called him the “English Rossini”. He in turn wanted to write an opera for her while in Venice, there was talk of Hamlet being the subject matter, however, nothing happened, instead he committed to writing an opera for her at a later date. A promise he fulfilled a year later in London.

R eturn To London Balfe returned to London in May 1835 where he performed at a concert with Lablache, Tamburini, Rubini and Grisi and others.   In this esteemed company Balfe elected to sing under his Italian name, M. Guglielmo Balfe!”

Composing an Opera for Malibran – “The Maid of Artois” London 1836 His initial success was quickly followed by another opera “The Maid of Artois” which he composed to fulfill a promise to his good friend. The presence of Malibran created a great financial success. Tragically, the renowned Malibran died the following September age 28, in Manchester as a result of an earlier horse-riding accident.

“The Prayer of the Nation” Balfe possibly wrote this special music for young Queen Victoria sometime after Her Coronation which took place in June 1838. Queen Victoria is shown with Prince Albert and Her ministers including the Duke of Wellington (third from left) and probably Prime Minster Robert Peel front left.

First Return Visit to Ireland -1838 Balfe first returned to Ireland in 1838, where he sang in operas and in concerts. A public dinner was held at Morrison’s Hotel in Dawson Street, Dublin in December of that year. This dinner was attended by 100 business and political leaders who paid one golden guinea to attend, and Balfe as the guest of honor, made an elegant speech about being a “Dublin Man” also mentioning his absence of sixteen years from his native city.  At this function Balfe sang arias from his operas to entertain the group, including a duet from his new opera Falstaff, in which he was joined by Antonio Sapio (the future teacher of the renowned Irish soprano, Catherine Hayes).  During the course of the evening, Balfe mentioned the fact that on his return to London in mid 1835, he was considered a foreigner and called “an Irish/Italian” no less!  Of course he was fluent in the Italian language and had composed operas in Italy, having spent seven years there on his second visit.