Role

:

Composer Performer

Country

:

Germany

Birth

:

June 20, 1819 in Cologne, Germany

Death

:

October 5, 1880 in Paris, France

Period

:

Romantic

Genre

:

Opera

 

Jacques Offenbach was a German-born French composer and cellist who is best known for his operettas, which were popular in the 19th century. He was born on June 20, 1819, in Cologne, Germany, to a Jewish family. His father, Isaac Juda Eberst, was a cantor and musician, and his mother, Marianne Rindskopf, was a daughter of a rabbi. Offenbach was the eldest of six children, and he showed an early talent for music. Offenbach's family moved to Paris when he was six years old, and he began studying the cello with the famous cellist Jean-Pierre Duport. He made his debut as a cellist at the age of 14, and he soon became known for his virtuosity on the instrument. He also began composing music, and his first published work was a set of variations for cello and piano. In 1835, Offenbach was appointed as a cellist in the orchestra of the Opéra-Comique in Paris. He continued to compose music, and in 1855, he had his first major success with the operetta "Orphée aux Enfers" (Orpheus in the Underworld). The operetta was a parody of the classical myth of Orpheus and Eurydice, and it was a huge hit with audiences. Offenbach went on to compose many more operettas, including "La Belle Hélène" (The Beautiful Helen), "La Vie Parisienne" (The Parisian Life), and "La Périchole." Offenbach's operettas were known for their catchy tunes, witty lyrics, and satirical humor. They often poked fun at the social and political issues of the day, and they were popular with audiences of all classes. Offenbach's music was also influential in the development of the waltz and other dance forms. In addition to his operettas, Offenbach composed a number of other works, including ballets, symphonies, and chamber music. He was also a prolific composer of songs, and he wrote over 600 during his lifetime. Offenbach's success as a composer made him a wealthy man, and he lived a lavish lifestyle. He was known for his love of fine food, wine, and women, and he was a regular at the famous Parisian café, the Café de la Paix. He was also a patron of the arts, and he supported many young artists and musicians. Offenbach's career was cut short by his death in 1880 at the age of 61. He had suffered from gout for many years, and he died of a heart attack while working on his final operetta, "Les Contes d'Hoffmann" (The Tales of Hoffmann). The operetta was completed by his friend and collaborator, Ernest Guiraud, and it went on to become one of his most popular works. Today, Offenbach is remembered as one of the most important composers of the 19th century. His operettas continue to be performed around the world, and his music has influenced generations of composers. He was a master of melody and humor, and his music remains as fresh and entertaining today as it was when it was first composed.

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