On This Day

Opera "Bohemian Girl" by Michael William Balfe with a libretto by Alfred Bunn first produced in London

Michael William Balfe (15 May 1808 – 20 October 1870) was an Irish composer, best remembered for his operas, especially The Bohemian Girl. After a short career as a violinist, Balfe pursued an...

Michael William Balfe (15 May 1808 – 20 October 1870) was an Irish composer, best remembered for his operas, especially The Bohemian Girl.

After a short career as a violinist, Balfe pursued an operatic singing career, while he began to compose. 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 Theatre for seven years, among other conducting posts.

Historical Significance

Michael William Balfe (15 May 1808 – 20 October 1870) was an Irish composer, best remembered for his operas, especially The Bohemian Girl.

Events Before

  1. New York Illustrated News, the first illustrated weekly magazine in the US, publishes its first issue in New York

    The Illustrated London News, founded by Herbert Ingram and first published on Saturday 14 May 1842, was the world's first illustrated weekly news magazine.

  2. 10th US President John Tyler's daughter Elizabeth marries in the White House

    10th US President John Tyler's daughter Elizabeth marries in the White House

  3. Battle of Debre Tabor: Ras Ali Alula, Regent of the Emperor of Ethiopia, defeats warlord Wube Haile Maryam of Semien

    Battle of Debre Tabor: Ras Ali Alula, Regent of the Emperor of Ethiopia, defeats warlord Wube Haile Maryam of Semien

  4. Giuseppe Verdi's opera "Nabucco" premieres in Milan

    Nabucco is an Italian-language opera in four acts composed in 1841 by Giuseppe Verdi to an Italian libretto by Temistocle Solera.

  5. Italian general Giuseppe Garibaldi (34) weds Ana Maria de Jesus Ribeiro (20) in Montevideo

    Italian general Giuseppe Garibaldi (34) weds Ana Maria de Jesus Ribeiro (20) in Montevideo

Events After

  1. First issue of "Nieuwe Rotterdamsche Courant" newspaper is published; issued three times per week

    First issue of "Nieuwe Rotterdamsche Courant" newspaper is published; issued three times per week

  2. Samuel Morse taps out "What hath God wrought" in the world's first telegraph message

    Samuel Morse taps out "What hath God wrought" in the world's first telegraph message

  3. Canada defeats the USA by 23 runs in the first international cricket match at the grounds of St. George's Cricket Club i

    Canada defeats the USA by 23 runs in the first international cricket match at the grounds of St. George's Cricket Club in Manhattan, New York

  4. New York Politician Boss Tweed (21) weds Mary Jane C. Skaden

    New York Politician Boss Tweed (21) weds Mary Jane C. Skaden

  5. University of Notre Dame receives its charter in Indiana

    The University of Notre Dame du Lac (known simply as Notre Dame; NOH-tər-DAYM; ND) is a private Catholic research university in Notre Dame, Indiana, United States.

More from the 1840s

Frequently Asked Questions

What happened on November 27, 1843?
Michael William Balfe (15 May 1808 – 20 October 1870) was an Irish composer, best remembered for his operas, especially The Bohemian Girl. After a short career as a violinist, Balfe pursued an operatic singing career, while he began to compose. In a career spanning more than 40 years, he composed at least 29 operas, almost 250 songs, several cantatas and other works.
Why is Opera "Bohemian Girl" by Michael William Balfe with a libretto by Alfred Bunn... significant?
Michael William Balfe (15 May 1808 – 20 October 1870) was an Irish composer, best remembered for his operas, especially The Bohemian Girl.

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