William Vincent Wallace facts for kids
William Vincent Wallace (born March 11, 1812 – died October 12, 1865) was a famous Irish composer and pianist. In his time, he was known across three continents. He was amazing at playing both the violin and the piano. Today, people mostly remember him for his operas, especially Maritana (1845) and Lurline (1847/60). He also wrote lots of piano music that was very popular in the 1800s. His songs and ballads were also well-liked, and some were sung by famous singers of his era.
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His Early Life and Musical Start
William Vincent Wallace was born in Waterford, Ireland. Both his parents were Irish. His father, Spencer Wallace, was a bandmaster in the army. William was born while his father's army group was stationed in Waterford.
The family moved back to Ballina, Ireland, when William was about four years old. He grew up there and was very involved in his father's band. He even started composing music for the band's shows when he was just nine! The band was known for being very good and often played at social events.
William learned to play many instruments as a boy. These included the violin, clarinet, organ, and piano. In 1830, when he was 18, he became the organist at the Catholic Cathedral in Thurles, Ireland. He also taught music at a nearby convent.
He fell in love with one of his students, Isabella Kelly. Her father agreed to their marriage in 1832, but only if Wallace became a Roman Catholic. After they married, the couple moved to Dublin. There, Wallace worked as a violinist at the Theatre Royal.
Adventures Around the World
Life in Dublin became tough after the Act of Union in 1800. So, in 1835, William's whole family decided to move to Australia. William, his wife Isabella, and their young son, Willy, traveled from Liverpool. His father, stepmother, and other siblings also made the journey.
They first arrived in Hobart, Tasmania, and stayed for several months. Then, they moved to Sydney in January 1836. Once the rest of the family arrived, the Wallaces opened Australia's first music academy in April. William had already performed many concerts in Sydney. He was the first great musician to visit the colony, earning him the nickname "the Australian Paganini" (a very famous violinist).
William also helped import pianos from London. But his main work was giving many concerts in Sydney. The Governor, General Sir Richard Bourke, supported his music. He also directed two big concerts at St. Mary's Cathedral in Sydney. These concerts helped raise money for the organ and featured all the musical talent in the colony.
In 1838, William separated from his wife. He then began traveling all over the world. He said he went to New Zealand on a whaling trip and met the Maori tribe. He crossed the Pacific Ocean and visited countries like Chile, Argentina, Peru, Jamaica, and Cuba. He gave concerts in the big cities there.
In 1841, he led a season of Italian opera in Mexico City. He then moved to the United States. He lived in New Orleans for a few years, where he was celebrated for his violin and piano playing. Later, he moved to New York, where he was also very popular. He published his first musical pieces there between 1843 and 1844.
His Famous Operas
Wallace arrived in London in 1845 and performed as a pianist. In November of that year, his opera Maritana was performed at Drury Lane theater. It was a huge success! Maritana was later performed all over the world, including Dublin (1846), Vienna, Austria (1848), and even back in Australia. Wallace's sister, Elisabeth, even sang the main role in London in 1848.
After Maritana, he wrote other operas. These included Matilda of Hungary (1847), Lurline (1847/60), The Amber Witch (1861), Love's Triumph (1862), and The Desert Flower (1863). He also published many pieces for the piano.
William Vincent Wallace was a very talented musician. His work as an opera composer was important, especially since it was a challenging time for music in England. Like Michael William Balfe, another Irish composer, Wallace became known outside of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland.
Later Years and Legacy
In 1854, Wallace became an American citizen. He married Hélène Stoepel, a German-born pianist, in New York. In New York, he was involved with the early concerts of the New York Philharmonic Society. In 1853, he was made an honorary member of the society.
In his later years, after returning to Europe for his new operas, he developed a heart condition. He received treatment in Paris in 1864. William Vincent Wallace passed away on October 12, 1865.
Wallace was buried in Kensal Green Cemetery in London. The words on his gravestone, which was fixed up in 2007, say: "Music is an art that knows no locality but heaven – Wm. V. Wallace".
Selected Compositions
William Vincent Wallace wrote many different types of music. Here are some examples of his work:
Operas
- Maritana (1845)
- Matilda of Hungary (1847)
- Lurline (1860)
- The Amber Witch (1861)
- Love's Triumph (1862)
- The Desert Flower (1863)
Music for Orchestra
- Violin Concerto (Souvenir de New York) (1844)
- Concertino for violin (1860)
Songs for Voice and Piano
- Echo's Song (c. 1836)
- Cradle Song (1851)
- The Flag of Our Union (1851)
- The Bell Ringer (1860)
Piano Music
Wallace wrote many pieces for the piano, including waltzes, nocturnes (night pieces), and fantasies based on popular opera tunes. Some of his well-known piano works include:
- La Gondola (1844)
- Les Cloches du monastère (The Bells of the Monastery) (c.1851)
- The Last Rose of Summer (1856)
