William Vincent Wallace, an Irish composer, born in Waterford in 1815, died at the chateau de Bay en, Haute-Garonne, France, Oct. 12, 1865. He received his earliest musical instruction from his father, a military band master, and at the age of 15 could play on every instrument of the orchestra, and had written numerous compositions for military bands. As a performer on the pianoforte and violin he showed great excellence. At the age of 18, on account of failing health, he went to New South Wales, and was long engaged in agricultural pursuits. He gave his first concert at Sydney with great success, and thenceforth travelled extensively over the southern hemisphere, deriving large emoluments in the Spanish American cities from his performances on the violin and the pianoforte. After a professional tour in the United States he returned in 1845 to England, where his first opera, "Maritana," was produced with great success. • He then produced in rapid succession " Matilda of Hungary," "The Maid of Zurich," "Gulnare," and "01ga," several of which were performed in Germany and elsewhere in continental Europe. In 1849 he was commissioned to write an opera for the grand opera of Paris, but had scarcely begun the work when he became blind.

For the purpose of recovering his eyesight he made a voyage to Rio de Janeiro, whence in 1850 he came to the United States. Several years later he returned to England, where in 1854 his "Lurline" and in 1861 his "Amber Witch" were brought out. In 1802 he produced "Love's Triumph," and in 1803 "The Desert Flower".