From Birmingham
The Birmingham Studio Orchestra,
Conducted by Frank Cantell
Balfe was one of the few British composers of his time (the early nineteenth century) who had much experience abroad. He spent a good many years in Italy and France, singing, and composing Operas in the Italian style. With The Siege of Rochelle (Drury Lane, 1835) he became known as a writer of English Operas, and The Maid of Artois, which appeared in the following year, with Malibran in the cast, strengthened his reputation.