Biography (read more)
Jacques Offenbach (born Jacob Offenbach, June 20, 1819, Cologne – October 5, 1880, Paris) was a German-born French Romantic-era composer and cellist who became a naturalized French citizen in 1860. Trained at the Paris Conservatoire and initially a celebrated touring cellist, he founded the Théâtre des Bouffes-Parisiens in 1855, launching his career as the creator and dominant figure of French operetta during the Second Empire. He composed nearly 100 stage works, including the operettas “Orphée aux enfers” (1858), “La belle Hélène” (1864), “La Vie parisienne” (1866), and “La Grande-Duchesse de Gérolstein” (1867), as well as his posthumously premiered grand opera “Les Contes d’Hoffmann” (The Tales of Hoffmann, 1881).
Dubbed ‘the Mozart of the Boulevards,’ Offenbach essentially invented the modern operetta genre, combining witty satire, dazzling orchestration, and irresistible melody; he directly influenced Johann Strauss II, Arthur Sullivan, and the later tradition of musical theatre, and his Tales of Hoffmann and the ‘Infernal Galop’ (can-can) from Orphée aux enfers remain staples of the classical repertoire.
Sources:
Repertoire
Introduction, Prière et Boléro for Cello and Orchestra, Op. 22: II. Boléro. Allegro vivo
Orphée aux enfers: Galop infernal (Can-Can)1858
Les Contes d’Hoffmann: “Les oiseaux dans la charmille” (Olympia’s Aria)1881
Performed by Sabine Devieilhe
Gaîté parisienne: IV. Cancan (Arr. Griguoli for Three Pianos)— Martha Argerich
Performed by Martha Argerich
Offenbach: Introduction, Prière et Boléro for Cello and Orchestra, Op. 22: I. Introduction….— Camille Thomas
Performed by Camille Thomas
Offenbach: Introduction, Prière et Boléro for Cello and Orchestra, Op. 22: II. Boléro….— Camille Thomas
Performed by Camille Thomas
Offenbach: Introduction, Prière et Boléro for Cello and Orchestra, Op. 22 – II. Boléro….— Camille Thomas
Performed by Camille Thomas
La Périchole, Act 1: Introduction – Chœur de fête. “Du vice-roi, c’est aujourd’hui la fête”…— Teresa Berganza
Performed by José Carreras
La Périchole, Act 1: Chanson des trois cousines. “Promptes à servir la pratique” – Dialogue….— Teresa Berganza
Performed by José Carreras
La Périchole, Act 1: Reprise du chœur. “Ah ! Qu’on y fait gaîment glouglou” – Dialogue. “Qui…— Teresa Berganza
Performed by José Carreras
La Périchole, Act 1: Chœur. “C’est lui ! C’est notre vice-roi” – Couplets de l’incognito….— Teresa Berganza
Performed by José Carreras
La Périchole, Act 1: Dialogue. “Dis-moi, Piquillo ?” (La Périchole, Piquillo)— Teresa Berganza
Performed by José Carreras
La Périchole, Act 1: Complainte de l’Espagnol et de la jeune Indienne. “Le conquérant dit à…— Teresa Berganza
Performed by José Carreras
La Périchole, Act 1: Séguédille. “Vous a-t-on dit souvent” (Piquillo, La Périchole)— Teresa Berganza
Performed by José Carreras
La Périchole, Act 1: Chœur. “Levez-vous et prenez vos rangs” – Dialogue. “Nous quitter pour…— Teresa Berganza
Performed by José Carreras
La Périchole, Act 1: Mélodrame. “Je suis la Périchole qui t’aime” (Piquillo, Panatellas,…— Teresa Berganza
Performed by José Carreras
La Périchole, Act 1: Finale. “Holà ! hé ! Holà ! de là-bas” – Couplets de la griserie. “Ah,…— Teresa Berganza
Performed by José Carreras
La Périchole, Act 2: Chœur des dames de la cour. “Cher seigneur, revenez à vous” – Dialogue….— Teresa Berganza
Performed by José Carreras
La Périchole, Act 2: Cancan-couplets. “On vante partout son sourire” (Manuelita, Frasquinella,…— Teresa Berganza
Performed by José Carreras
La Périchole, Act 2: Chœur des courtisans. “Quel marché de bassesse !” (Chœur, Piquillo,…— Teresa Berganza
Performed by José Carreras
La Périchole, Act 2: Couplets. “Et là, maintenant que nous sommes seuls” – Dialogue. “J’ai…— Teresa Berganza
Performed by José Carreras
La Périchole, Act 2: Interlude musical – Chœur. “Son Altesse, à l’heure ordinaire” (Chœur)— Teresa Berganza
Performed by José Carreras
La Périchole, Act 2: Dialogue. “Est-ce bientôt cette présentation ?” – Couplets. “Que veulent…— Teresa Berganza
Performed by José Carreras
La Périchole, Act 3: Le cachot des maris récalcitrants. “C’est ici, messieurs ; nous sommes…— Teresa Berganza
Performed by José Carreras
La Périchole, Act 3: Couplets. “Les maris courbaient la tête” (Don Pedro, Panatellas)— Teresa Berganza
Performed by José Carreras
La Périchole, Act 3: Air. “On me proposait d’être infâme” (Piquillo)— Teresa Berganza
Performed by José Carreras
La Périchole, Act 3: Dialogue. “Qui va là ? qui est là ?” (Piquillo, La Périchole)— Teresa Berganza
Performed by José Carreras
La Périchole, Act 3: Couplets de l’aveu. “Dans ces couloirs obscurs” (La Périchole, Piquillo)— Teresa Berganza
Performed by José Carreras
La Périchole, Act 3: Trio. “Je suis le joli geôlier” – Dialogue. “Savez-vous ce que c’est que…— Teresa Berganza
Performed by José Carreras
La Périchole, Act 3: Trio. “Roi pas plus haut qu’une botte !” (Piquillo, Don Andrès, La…— Teresa Berganza
Performed by José Carreras
La Périchole, Act 3: Dialogue. “Tais-toi !” (La Périchole, Piquillo, Le Vieux Prisonnier)— Teresa Berganza
Performed by José Carreras
La Périchole, Act 3: Finale. “Elle m’adore, j’ai bien entendu” (Don Andrès, La Périchole,…— Teresa Berganza
Performed by José Carreras
La Périchole, Act 3: Dialogue. “Que se passe-t-il donc ?” (Mastrilla, Berginella, Guadalena,…— Teresa Berganza
Performed by José Carreras
La Périchole, Act 3: Chœur des soldats. “En avant ! en avant, soldats !” – Dialogue. “Ils sont…— Teresa Berganza
Performed by José Carreras
La Périchole, Act 3: Complainte des amoureux. “Écoutez, peup’ d’Amérique” – Dialogue….— Teresa Berganza
Performed by José Carreras
La Périchole, Act 3: Finale. “Tous deux, au temps de peine et de misère” (Piquillo, La…— Teresa Berganza
Performed by José Carreras
Geneviève de Brabant, Act II: Gendarmes’ Duet. “We’re Public Guardians, Bold Yet Wary”— André Previn
Performed by André Previn
Hoffmanns Erzählungen, Act 1: Lied. “Ich bin’s, Coppelius” – “Habe Brillen” (Coppelius,…— Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau
Performed by Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau
Boule de neige, Acte I Scène 2: Couplet de la dompteuse “Je suis du pays vermeil”— Jodie Devos
Performed by Jodie Devos
Vert-Vert, Acte II Scènes 7B & C: Air de la Corilla “Les plus beaux vers sont toujours fades”— Jodie Devos
Performed by Jodie Devos
Orphée aux Enfers: Invocation à la mort “La mort m’apparaît souriante”— Jodie Devos
Performed by Jodie Devos
Un mari à la porte: Valse tyrolienne de Rosita “J’entends ma belle”— Jodie Devos
Performed by Jodie Devos
Les Bavards, Acte I Scène 3: Air d’Inès “Ce sont détranges personnages”— Jodie Devos
Performed by Jodie Devos
Mesdames de la halle: Rondo de Ciboulette “Quel bruit et quel tapage”— Jodie Devos
Performed by Jodie Devos
Les Contes d’Hoffmann: Couplets de la poupée “Les oiseaux dans la charmille”— Jodie Devos
Performed by Jodie Devos
Robinson Crusoë, Acte II, 2ème tableau, Scène 14C: Valse d’Edwige “Conduisez-moi vers celui…— Jodie Devos
Performed by Jodie Devos
Boule de Neige, Acte I Scène 3: Romance des souvenirs d’Olga “Souvenance”— Jodie Devos
Performed by Jodie Devos
Boule de Neige, Acte II Scène 14: Chanson d’Olga “Allons, couchez”— Jodie Devos
Performed by Jodie Devos
Les Contes d’Hoffmann: Prélude & Barcarolle “Belle nuit, Ô nuit d’amour”— Jodie Devos
Performed by Jodie Devos
Le voyage dans la lune, Acte III Scène 21: Ariette de Fantasia “Je suis nerveuse”— Jodie Devos
Performed by Jodie Devos
Le voyage dans la lune, Acte 3: “Je suis nerveuse, je suis fiévreuse”— Jodie Devos
Performed by Jodie Devos
Les Contes d’Hoffmann, Act I: Les oiseaux dans la charmille (Version for Soprano and Piano)— Jodie Devos
Performed by Jodie Devos
Les Contes d’Hoffmann, Act I: “Va! pour Kleinzach” (Hoffmann, Nathanaël, Chorus)— Michael Spyres
Performed by Michael Spyres
Too Much Love Will Kill You (Live in Modena, 2003)— Luciano Pavarotti
Performed by Luciano Pavarotti
Les contes d’Hoffmann, Act II: “Les oiseaux dans la charmille” (Live from Concert Hall of the…— Luciano Pavarotti
Performed by Luciano Pavarotti
Les Contes d’Hoffmann, Acte IV: “Ô Dieu, de quelle ivresse”— Jonas Kaufmann
Performed by Jonas Kaufmann
Barbe-Bleue – Duet, Act II: Or depuis la rose nouvelle – Tous les deux, amoureux— Gino Quilico
Performed by Gino Quilico
Offenbach: Les Contes d’Hoffmann / Act III: Barcarolle (Arr. for Violin, Cello, Piano and…— Camille Thomas
Performed by Camille Thomas
Offenbach: Harmonies des bois, Op. 76: II. Les larmes de Jacqueline— Camille Thomas
Performed by Camille Thomas
Offenbach: La vie parisienne / Act I: “Je suis brésilien” (Arr. for Tenor, Cello and Orchestra…— Camille Thomas
Performed by Camille Thomas
Offenbach: Les contes d’Hoffmann, Op. 67: Les oiseaux dans la charmille— Nadine Sierra
Performed by Nadine Sierra
Offenbach: Les contes d’Hoffmann, Olympia Act: Ils se sont éloignés enfin!— Plácido Domingo
Performed by Plácido Domingo
Offenbach: Les Contes d’Hoffmann / Act 1: “Il était une fois à la cour d’Eisenach” (La…— Plácido Domingo
Performed by Plácido Domingo
Offenbach: Les contes d’Hoffmann, Prologue: Glou! glou! glou! je suis le vin!— Plácido Domingo
Performed by Plácido Domingo
Offenbach: Les contes d’Hoffmann, Prologue: Dans les rôles d’amoureux langoureux— Plácido Domingo
Performed by Plácido Domingo
Offenbach: Les contes d’Hoffmann, Prologue: Allons, allons mes enfants! Préparez cette salle— Plácido Domingo
Performed by Plácido Domingo
Offenbach: Les contes d’Hoffmann, Prologue: Et! Luther! Ma grosse tonne— Plácido Domingo
Performed by Plácido Domingo
Offenbach: Les contes d’Hoffmann, Prologue: Finale. Peuh! cette bière est détestable!— Plácido Domingo
Performed by Plácido Domingo
Offenbach: Les contes d’Hoffmann, Prologue: Et par où votre diablerie— Plácido Domingo
Performed by Plácido Domingo
Offenbach: Les contes d’Hoffmann, Olympia Act: Allons! Courage et confiance!— Plácido Domingo
Performed by Plácido Domingo
Offenbach: Les contes d’Hoffmann, Olympia Act: Par Dieu! J’étais bien sûr de te trouver ici!— Plácido Domingo
Performed by Plácido Domingo
Offenbach: Les contes d’Hoffmann, Olympia Act: J’ai des yeux, de vrais yeux— Plácido Domingo
Performed by Plácido Domingo
Offenbach: Les contes d’Hoffmann, Olympia Act: Non, aucun hôte vraiment— Plácido Domingo
Performed by Plácido Domingo
Offenbach: Les contes d’Hoffmann, Olympia Act: Les oiseaux dans la charmille “Doll Song”— Plácido Domingo
Performed by Plácido Domingo
Offenbach: Les contes d’Hoffmann, Olympia Act: Tu me fuis?— Plácido Domingo
Performed by Plácido Domingo
Offenbach: Les contes d’Hoffmann, Olympia Act: Voici les valseurs!— Plácido Domingo
Performed by Plácido Domingo
Offenbach: Les contes d’Hoffmann, Giulietta Act: Barcarolle. Belle nuit, ô nuit d’amour— Plácido Domingo
Performed by Plácido Domingo
Offenbach: Les contes d’Hoffmann, Giulietta Act: Amis, amour tendre et rêveur— Plácido Domingo
Performed by Plácido Domingo
Offenbach: Les contes d’Hoffmann, Giulietta Act: Au jeu, au jeu, messieurs!— Plácido Domingo
Performed by Plácido Domingo
Offenbach: Les contes d’Hoffmann, Giulietta Act: Scintille diamant— Plácido Domingo
Performed by Plácido Domingo
Offenbach: Les contes d’Hoffmann, Giulietta Act: A nous trois, mes maîtres!— Plácido Domingo
Performed by Plácido Domingo
Offenbach: Les contes d’Hoffmann, Giulietta Act: Malheureux, tu ne comprends donc pas— Plácido Domingo
Performed by Plácido Domingo
Offenbach: Les contes d’Hoffmann, Giulietta Act: Que vais-je faire? Quel est ce breuvage? –…— Plácido Domingo
Performed by Plácido Domingo
Offenbach: Les contes d’Hoffmann, Antonia Act: Elle a fui, la tourterelle— Plácido Domingo
Performed by Plácido Domingo
Offenbach: Les contes d’Hoffmann, Antonia Act: Jour et nuit je me mets en quatre— Plácido Domingo
Performed by Plácido Domingo
Offenbach: Les contes d’Hoffmann, Antonia Act: Duet. C’est une chanson d’amour— Plácido Domingo
Performed by Plácido Domingo
Offenbach: Les contes d’Hoffmann, Antonia Act: Que veux-tu faire?— Plácido Domingo
Performed by Plácido Domingo
Offenbach: Les contes d’Hoffmann, Antonia Act: Tu ne chanteras plus?— Plácido Domingo
Performed by Plácido Domingo
Offenbach: Les contes d’Hoffmann, Antonia Act: Finale. Mon enfant! Ma fille!— Plácido Domingo
Performed by Plácido Domingo
Offenbach: Les contes d’Hoffmann, Antonia Act: Barcarolle (Entracte)— Plácido Domingo
Performed by Plácido Domingo
Offenbach: Les contes d’Hoffmann, Epilogue: Voilà, mes amis— Plácido Domingo
Performed by Plácido Domingo
Offenbach: Les contes d’Hoffmann, Epilogue: Messieurs, le souper est servi!— Plácido Domingo
Performed by Plácido Domingo
Offenbach: Les contes d’Hoffmann, Epilogue: Et moi? Moi, la fidèle amie— Plácido Domingo
Performed by Plácido Domingo
Offenbach: Les contes d’Hoffmann, Epilogue: Adieu! Je ne veux pas te suivre— Plácido Domingo
Performed by Plácido Domingo
Offenbach: Les contes d’Hoffmann, Epilogue: Jusqu’au matin remplis, remplis mon verre!— Plácido Domingo
Performed by Plácido Domingo
Les contes d’Hoffmann (The Tales of Hoffmann) , The Legend Of Kleinzach: Il etait une fois a la…— Plácido Domingo
Performed by Plácido Domingo
Les Contes d’Hoffmann, Prologue: “Va pour Kleinzach! … Il ètait une fois à la cour d’Eisenach”— Plácido Domingo
Performed by Plácido Domingo
Offenbach: Les Contes d’Hoffmann / Act 2: Malheureux, tu ne comprends donc pas— Plácido Domingo
Performed by Plácido Domingo
Duo for two Cellos in E Major, Op. 54, No. 3: I. Adagio – Allegro maestoso— Julian Bream
Performed by Julian Bream
Duo for two Cellos in E Major, Op. 54, No. 3: II. Allegro vivo— Julian Bream
Performed by Julian Bream