Basic HTML Version
57
Jacques Offenbach – Chronology
1819
20 June – Jakob Offenbach (he later adopts
Jacques as his first name) is born in Cologne
of German-Jewish parents. His father, Isaac
Juda Eberst, was born in Offenbach amMain,
wherefrom he acquired his surname. He was
a bookbinder, composer, publisher and final-
ly a cantor.
1833
Moves to France to continue his cello studies
and gains admission to the Conservatoire de
Paris, where he studies under director Luigi
Cherubini.
1834
At the end of the year he interrupts his studies.
By giving recitals, he makes a name for himself
as a cellist.
1844
Marries Hérmine d’Alcain, with whom he has
five children.
1848
For political reasons is forced to escape Paris
with his family to Cologne.
1850
Returns to Paris and takes up the position of
conductor at the Théâtre Français. Begins com-
posing.
1855
Rents a small theatre and establishes his com-
pany,
Les Bouffes Parisiens
. His comic, satiri-
cal works meet with great success.
1858
Granted permission for bigger productions.
Presents his comic opera,
Orpheus in the Un-
derworld
.
1864
The Beautiful Helen
, a comic opera, is
staged at the
Théâtre des Variétés. Offen-
bach’s works are presented in many Parisian
theatres and become extraordinarily popu-
lar. He ultimately composes more than 100
comic works.
1870
War breaks out between France and Germany.
Offenbach’s family escapes to Spain; he tours
Italy and Austria.
1871
Returns to Paris where, after the end of the
Second Empire, the public shows less inter-
est in his work.
1875
Breaks down financially and is forced to de-
clare bankruptcy; recovers after presenting his
works on a tour of the USA. Begins work on his
first non-comic opera,
The Tales of Hoffmann
,
with a libretto by Jules Barbier.
1879
18 May – Presents nine scenes from his opera,
The Tales of Hoffmann
,
to an invited audience
of 300.
1880
Dies of heart failure sometime during the eve-
ning of 4 October before giving
The Tales of
Hoffmann
its final form.
1881
10 February –
The Tales of Hoffmann
premieres
at the Paris Opéra-Comique.
Eleni Kanthou
Musicologist