Jacques Offenbach (1819–1880) was a German-born French composer, cellist, and impresario of the romantic era who is best remembered for his nearly 100 operettas and his uncompleted opera "Les contes d'Hoffmann" (The Tales of Hoffmann). During a time when the cultural life of Paris was at its peak, Offenbach became the quintessential composer of the operetta genre, and his works significantly influenced the development of the modern musical theatre. Born Jacob Offenbach in Cologne, he moved to Paris in 1833, where he quickly established himself as a gifted cellist and composer.

Offenbach's music is characterized by its tunefulness, its sparkling orchestration, and often by a gentle but pointed satire. Emblematic of his talent are works such as "Orphée aux enfers" (Orpheus in the Underworld), which includes the famous "Can-Can," and "La belle Hélène." His ability to depict characters with musical motifs and integrate the graces of Parisian life into his compositions made him a popular figure not only in France but across Europe. Despite facing some scorn from traditionalists who were uncomfortable with his satirical approach to opera and high culture, Offenbach weathered such criticisms and his works have remained a beloved part of the operatic and orchestral repertoire. His legacy continues to be celebrated in new recordings and performances around the globe, as evidenced by the aforementioned list, ensuring his music endures more than a century after his death.

Genres

Classical

French Opera

French Romanticism

German Romanticism

Late Romantic Era

Operetta

Related Artists

Camille Saint-Saëns

Georges Bizet

Jules Massenet

Charles Gounod

Léo Delibes

Franz Lehár

Giacomo Meyerbeer

Johann Strauss II

Gioachino Rossini

Gaetano Donizetti

Ambroise Thomas

Hector Berlioz

Latest Release

Offenbach: La Vie parisienne (Original Version)

Jacques Offenbach•

Orchestre National Du Capitole De Toulouse•

Romain Dumas•

Véronique Gens•

Jérôme Boutillier

Album - 75 Tracks - Released October 4, 2024