Composer

:

Jacques Offenbach

Genre

:

Opera

Style

:

Operetta

Compose Date

:

1858

First Performance

:

Oct 21, 1858

Average_duration

:

63:51

Movement_count

:

36

Movement ....

Orphée aux enfers, also known as Orpheus in the Underworld, is an operetta composed by Jacques Offenbach. The operetta was first performed in Paris on October 21, 1858, at the Théâtre des Bouffes-Parisiens. The libretto was written by Hector Crémieux and Ludovic Halévy. The plot of Orphée aux enfers is a satirical take on the Greek myth of Orpheus and Eurydice. The story follows the unhappy marriage of Orpheus and Eurydice, who are both unfaithful to each other. When Eurydice dies, Orpheus is relieved to be free of her, but he is soon visited by the gods of Olympus, who demand that he rescue her from the underworld. Orpheus reluctantly agrees, but once he reaches the underworld, he finds that he prefers the company of the other women there. Eventually, he is forced to choose between staying in the underworld or returning to the land of the living with Eurydice. The music of Orphée aux enfers is characterized by its lively and humorous tone. Offenbach's use of parody and satire was groundbreaking for its time, and the operetta was a huge success when it premiered in Paris. The most famous movement from the operetta is the "Galop Infernal," also known as the "Can-Can," which has become a staple of modern popular culture. Orphée aux enfers was composed during a time of political and social upheaval in France. The operetta was seen as a commentary on the hypocrisy and corruption of the ruling class, and it was embraced by audiences as a form of escapism from the harsh realities of everyday life. The success of Orphée aux enfers paved the way for Offenbach's later works, which continued to push the boundaries of traditional opera and operetta. In conclusion, Orphée aux enfers is a satirical and humorous take on the Greek myth of Orpheus and Eurydice. The operetta was composed by Jacques Offenbach and premiered in Paris in 1858. The music is characterized by its lively and humorous tone, and the most famous movement is the "Galop Infernal," or "Can-Can." The success of Orphée aux enfers paved the way for Offenbach's later works and established him as a groundbreaking composer in the world of opera and operetta.

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