Jacques Offenbach (1819-1880)

Jacques Offenbach was born near Cologne. Despite his German-Jewish descent Offenbach was destined for fame in France, specifically as the creator of French operetta during the Romantic Era. After studying for a short time at the Paris Conservatoire, Offenbach found work as a cellist with the orchestra of the Opera-Comique. His performances soon marked him out as a virtuoso of the cello. By 1849 he was conducting the Theatre Francais. Later he went on to manage the Theatre Compte which he renamed the Bouffes Parisiens.

Offenbach is best known for his French operetta. He was devoted to this form, writing over 90 in all. The parody and satire of these pieces proved extremely popular and entertaining. Many such as Orphee aux enfers (Orpheus in the Underworld) (1858) and La belle Helene (1864) enjoy continuing success. The form was enhanced by Offenbach’s close collaboration with librettists such as Meilhac and Halévy.

As a result of French-German warfare during 1870-71 Offenbach moved his family to Spain, then toured Italy and Austria. Following the war and the end of the Second Empire he had so wittily satirised, Offenbach returned, only to find his operettas had fallen out of favour. Fortunately 1876 brought a much needed boost with a successful tour of America, with Offenbach conducting two of his operettas and several concerts.

For many years Offenbach worked on what is usually considered his greatest composition Les contes d’Hoffman (The Tales of Hoffmann). The grand opera was completed after Offenbach’s death in 1880 by his friend Ernest Guiraud. The masterpiece with its famous Barcarolle premiered in 1881.