Orpheus in the Underworld

Franco-German composer Jacques Offenbach (1819-1880) is regarded as the founder of modern operetta and established it as an independent genre of musical theatre. His most important work, “Orpheus in the Underworld”, premiered in Offenbach’s theater in Paris on October 21, 1858, bringing him popularity throughout Europe.

“Orpheus in the Underworld” is a jaunty parody on Greek mythology, mainly the legend of Orpheus and Eurydice. At the same time, Offenbach was teasing Paris’ affluent society, as Greek mythology was a very popular subject of conversation for the gentlefolk. Certain innuendos in the plot also caricatured the double standards of the beautiful people.

In the music of his operettas, Offenbach offered ingenuity and unparalleled wittiness. Like hardly any other work in music literature “Orpheus in der Unterwelt” represents cheerfulness, good mood and exhilaration. The famous “Can-Can” at the end of the overture underscores that sentiment, shaping the idea of typical French light music for decades to come.