Michael William Balfe was an Irish composer, best-remembered for his opera 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 28 operas, more than 250 songs and other works. From 1829 to 1870 Balfe was appointed musical director and principal conductor for the Italian Opera at Her Majesty's Theatre in London. There he first produced several of Verdi's operas for London audiences. He conducted for Jenny Lind at her opera debut and on many occasions thereafter.

Pianist and world acclaimed opera conductor Richard Bonynge has for many years been an avid collector of songs and ballads from the Nineteenth century. Together with soprano Sally Silver he has realised his ambition to record some of his collection with this CD of songs and ballads by Michael William Balfe.