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Living Beyond his Means (1854-1864)

Offenbach’s expensive tastes and lavish generosity meant he had no choice but to compose - even as his fortunes grew, he went on spending more than he earned.

Jacques Offenbach’s life throws a light on the political turbulence and identity within 19th century Europe. He struggled to break into the musical establishment of Paris, but he didn’t struggle with creating a dazzling array of work for the theatre. His 98 stage works established and defined what operetta was, paving the way for modern musical theatre.

Today, Donald Macleod looks at Offenbach’s expensive taste and lavish generosity. Even as his fortunes grew, he went on spending more than he earned. He had no choice but to continue composing a huge quantity of theatrical works. Inactivity was not an option.

Les brigands: Overture
Lyon National Opera Orchestra
John Eliot Gardiner, conductor

Ba-ta-clan - finale
Huguette Boulangeot, soprano
Raymond Amade, tenor
Remi Corazza, tenor
Renee Terrasson, bass
Philippe Caillard Choir
Jean-François Paillard Orchestra
Marcel Couraud, conductor

Orphee aux enfers (Orpheus in the Underworld):
Overture
Act I Scene 1: Qui je suis? Du theatre antique (L’Opinion publique)
Act I Scene 1: La femme dont le coeur (Eurydice)
Act I Scene 1: Il est sorti! (Eurydice, Orphee)
Act I Tableau 1: Ah! c'est ainsi! (Orphee, Eurydice)
Ewa Podleś, contralto (L’Opinion publique)
Natalie Dessay, soprano (Eurydice)
Yann Beuron, tenor (Orpheus)
Lyon National Opera Orchestra
Grenoble Chamber Orchestra
Marc Minkowski, conductor

Le Papillon:
Marsch
Allegretto delicato
Waltzer: Allegro
Cologne West German Radio Orchestra
Pinchas Steinberg, conductor

Die Rheinnixen: Overture
Philharmonia Orchestra
Antonio de Almeida, conductor

Abendblatter
Marco Sollini, piano

Produced by Iain Chambers for ´óÏó´«Ã½ Audio Wales & West

59 minutes

Music Played

  • Jacques Offenbach

    Les Brigands: Overture

    Orchestra: Lyon Opera Orchestra. Conductor: Sir John Eliot Gardiner.
    • EMI : 7-49830-2.
    • EMI.
    • 1.
  • Jacques Offenbach

    Ba-ta-clan (finale)

    Performer: Remi Corazza. Singer: Huguette Boulangeot. Singer: Raymond Amade. Singer: René Terrasson. Choir: Philippe Caillard Choir. Orchestra: Jean-François Paillard Chamber Orchestra. Conductor: Marcel Couraud.
    • WARNER CLASSICS : 1900295447663.
    • WARNER CLASSICS.
    • 9.
  • Jacques Offenbach

    Orphee Aux Enfers (excerpts)

    Singer: Ewa PodleÅ›. Singer: Natalie Dessay. Singer: Yann Beuron. Orchestra: Lyon Opera Orchestra. Orchestra: Grenoble Chamber Orchestra. Conductor: Marc Minkowski.
    • WARNER CLASSICS : 0724355672551.
    • WARNER CLASSICS.
    • 1.
  • Jacques Offenbach

    Le Papillon (excerpts)

    Orchestra: Cologne Radio Orchestra. Conductor: Pinchas Steinberg.
    • CAPRICCIO : C-49304.
    • CAPRICCIO.
    • 12.
  • Jacques Offenbach

    Die Rheinnixen: Overture

    Orchestra: Philharmonia Orchestra. Conductor: Antonio de Almeida.
    • PHILIPS : 422-057-2.
    • PHILIPS.
    • 9.
  • Jacques Offenbach

    Abendblatter

    Performer: Marco Sollini.
    • CPO 777 161-2.
    • CPO 777 161-2.
    • 1.

Broadcast

  • Wed 24 Jan 2024 12:00

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