Michael William Balfe (1808 -1870) was an Irish composer who is best-remembered for his opera 'The Bohemian Girl'. The plot is loosely based on a Cervantes tale, 'La Gitanilla'. The best-known aria from the opera is 'I Dreamt I Dwelt in Marble Halls' in which the main character, Arline, describes her vague memories of her childhood.