November 30, 1833:
Jacob (Jacques) Offenbach (14) is enrolled in the Paris Conservatoire.
December 24, 1834:
Little more than a year after he entered the Paris Conservatoire, Jacob (Jacques) Offenbach (15) is officially removed from the list of students, voluntarily.
December 16, 1835:
Fromental Halévy’s (36) opéra comique L’éclair to words of Saint-Georges and de Planard is performed for the first time, at the Théâtre de la Bourse, Paris. The critics are pleased. Among the orchestra is a young cellist named Jacob (Jacques) Offenbach (16).
January 27, 1839:
Jacob (Jacques) Offenbach (19) gives his first public concert (along with eleven others), in the Pape showroom, Paris.
March 2, 1839:
Pascal et Chambord, a vaudeville by Jacob (Jacques) Offenbach (19) to words of Bourgeois and Brisebarre, is performed for the first time, at the Palais-Royal, Paris. It is a flop.
November 14, 1840:
Grande scène espagnole for cello and orchestra by Jacob (Jacques) Offenbach (21) is performed for the first time, in Cologne.
April 25, 1841:
Hector Berlioz (37) and Franz Liszt (29) produce an all-Beethoven (†14) concert at the Salle du Conservatoire to benefit the Beethoven monument in Bonn. Liszt plays various piano sonatas and the “Emperor” Concerto, conducted by Berlioz, along with the Sixth Symphony. Unfortunately, the receipts are barely enough to pay the musicians. The audience requires Liszt to play his own Reminiscences on Meyerbeer’s Robert le Diable, while Berlioz and the orchestra wait. Richard Wagner (27), reviewing the concert for the Dresden Abendzeitung, is offended. “Some day, Liszt in heaven will be summoned to play his Fantasy on The Devil before the assembled company of angels.” An aspiring cellist named Jacob (Jacques) Offenbach (21) joins forces with a visiting prodigy from Russia, Anton Rubinstein (11), to perform the second and third movements of Beethoven’s Cello Sonata in A.
April 2, 1843:
Le Moine bourru ou les Deux Poltrons, a duo bouffe by Jacob (Jacques) Offenbach (23) to words of Plouvier, is performed for the first time, in Salle Herz, Paris.
June 6, 1844:
Jacob (Jacques) Offenbach (24) performs at Windsor Castle before Queen Victoria, Prince Albert, Tsar Nikolay I, King Ludwig I of Bavaria, and other illustrious people. He is a big success.
August 8, 1844:
Jacob Offenbach (25) is baptized into the Roman Catholic faith in Notre-Dame-de-Bonne-Nouvelle in Paris. He does this at the insistence of the parents of his fiancée, Herminie d’Alcain. He takes the name Jacques.
August 14, 1844:
Jacques Offenbach (25) marries Herminie d’Alcain in the Church of Saint-Roch, Paris. She is the stepdaughter of Michael George Mitchel, an English acquaintance of the composer.
February 25, 1846:
Le Moine bourru ou les Deux Poltrons, a duo bouffe by Jacques Offenbach (26) to words of Plouvier, is performed for the first time, privately, at Chez les de Forges. See 24 April 1846
April 24, 1846:
Le Moine bourru ou les Deux Poltrons, a duo bouffe by Jacques Offenbach (26) to words of Plouvier, is performed publicly for the first time, in Salle Herz, Paris. See 25 February 1846.
April 24, 1847:
L’alcôve, an opéra-comique by Jacques Offenbach (27) to words of de Forges, de Leuven and Roche, is performed for the first time, at Tour d’Auvergne. It is a hit with public and press.
August 14, 1848:
A large ceremony takes place in Cologne Cathedral to mark the 600th anniversary of the laying of the foundation stone. Attenders include King Friedrich Wilhelm of Prussia and other high dignitaries. Among the music played is a cello solo by the city's favorite son, Jacques Offenbach (29).
September 21, 1850:
Incidental music to Guillard’s comédie Un mariage sous la Régence by Jacques Offenbach (31) is performed for the first time, at the Comédie-Française, Paris.
December 19, 1850:
Incidental music to Augier’s comédie en vers Le Joueur de flûte by Jacques Offenbach (31) is performed for the first time, at the Comédie-Française, Paris.
February 28, 1851:
Incidental music to Maquet and Lacroix’ drame en vers Valéria by Jacques Offenbach (31) is performed for the first time, at the Comédie-Française, Paris.
November 4, 1851:
Incidental music to Sandeau and Regnier’s comédie Mademoiselle de la Seiglière by Jacques Offenbach (32) is performed for the first time, at the Comédie-Française, Paris.
April 21, 1852:
Incidental music to Murger’s comédie Le Bonhomme Jadis by Jacques Offenbach (32) is performed for the first time, at the Comédie-Française, Paris.
May 7, 1853:
Le trésor à Mathurin, an opéra-comique by Jacques Offenbach (33) to words of Battu, is performed for the first time, in Salle Herz. It will later be revived as Le mariage aux lanternes.
October 18, 1853:
Incidental music to Aylic-Langlé’s comédie en vers Murillo ou la Corde du pendu by Jacques Offenbach (34) is performed for the first time, at the Comédie-Française, Paris.
October 28, 1853:
Pépito, an opéra-comique by Jacques Offenbach (34) to words of Monaux and Battu, is performed for the first time, in the Variétés, Paris.
January 13, 1854:
Incidental music to Romulus, a comédie by Dumas, Feuillet, and Bocage, by Jacques Offenbach (34) is performed for the first time, at the Comédie-Française.
May 2, 1854:
Luc et Lucette, an opéra-comique by Jacques Offenbach (34) to words of de Forges and Roche, is performed for the first time, at the Salle Herz, Paris.
June 12, 1854:
Incidental music to Plouvier’s comédie Le Songe d’une nuit d’hiver by Jacques Offenbach (34) is performed for the first time, at the Comédie-Française, Paris.
June 4, 1855:
Jacques Offenbach (35) is granted a license to open the Salle Lacaze in Paris and produce various types of shows. This theatre will later be known as the Bouffes-Parisiens.
July 5, 1855:
Jacques Offenbach (36) rents the Théâtre Marigny on the Champs Elysées to put on a program of comedy sketches by a group under the title Bouffes-Parisiens. Performed for the first time are Offenbach’s: Entrez, messieurs, mesdames to words of Mery and Halévy (under the pseudonym Servières), Les deux aveugles, a bouffonerie musicale to words of Moinaux, Une nuit blanche, an opéra-comique to words of Plouvier, and the ballet Arlequin barbier to a scenario by Placet after Rossini. They are very successful through the Paris Exhibition.
July 30, 1855:
Two works by Jacques Offenbach (36) are performed for the first time, by the Bouffes-Parisiens at Salle Marigny: Le rêve d’une nuit d’été to words of Tréfeu, and the ballet Pierrot clown to a scenario by Jackson.
August 7, 1855:
Oyayaye, ou La reine des îles, an anthropophagie musicale by Jacques Offenbach (36) to words of Moinaux, is performed for the first time, at the Folies-Nouvelles, Paris.
August 31, 1855:
Le violoneux, a légende bretonne by Jacques Offenbach (36) to words of Mestépès and Chevalet, is performed for the first time, by the Bouffes-Parisiens at the Salle Marigny, Paris.
September 19, 1855:
Jacques Offenbach’s (36) ballet Polichenelle dans le monde to a scenario by Busnach is performed for the first time, by the Bouffes-Parisiens at Salle Marigny, Paris.
October 3, 1855:
Madame Papillon, a bouffonerie musicale by Jacques Offenbach (36) to words of Halévy (under the pseudonym Servières), is performed for the first time, by the Bouffes Parisiens at Salle Marigny, Paris.
October 29, 1855:
Paimpol et Périnette, a saynète lyrique by Jacques Offenbach (36) to words of de Forges, is performed for the first time, by the Bouffes-Parisiens at Salle Marigny, Paris.
December 2, 1855:
The Théâtre des Jeunes Élèves is handed over to Jacques Offenbach (36). It is renamed the Théâtre des Bouffes-Parisiens.
December 29, 1855:
Ba-ta-clan, a chinoiserie musicale by Jacques Offenbach (36) to words of Halévy, is performed for the first time, at the opening night of the Bouffes-Parisiens theatre, Paris.
January 19, 1856:
Béranger à l’Académie, a poésie by Houssaye with music by Jacques Offenbach (36), is performed for the first time, at the Bouffes-Parisiens, Paris.
February 9, 1856:
Un postillon en gage, an operetta by Jacques Offenbach (36) to words of Adenis, is performed for the first time, at the Bouffes-Parisiens, Paris.
March 19, 1856:
Le Berceau, a cantata by Jacques Offenbach (36) to words of Dupeuty, is performed for the first time, at the Bouffes-Parisiens, Paris.
April 2, 1856:
La Paix du monde, a cantata by Jacques Offenbach (36) to words of Halévy, is performed for the first time, at the Bouffe-Parisiennes, Paris.
April 3, 1856:
Trombalcazar, ou Les criminels dramatiques, a bouffonerie musicale by Jacques Offenbach (36) to words of Dupeuty and Bourget, is performed for the first time, at the Bouffes-Parisiens, Paris.
June 12, 1856:
La rose de Saint-Flour, an operetta by Jacques Offenbach (36) to words of Carré, is performed for the first time, by the Bouffes-Parisiens at Salle Marigny, Paris, to celebrate the christening of the new Prince-Imperial.
June 18, 1856:
Les dragées du baptême by Jacques Offenbach (36) to words of Dupeuty and Bourget is performed for the first time, by the Bouffes-Parisiens at Salle Marigny, Paris.
July 17, 1856:
Jacques Offenbach (37) publishes a call for scores in Le Figaro for a new kind of witty, satiric operetta. He is staging a contest for French composers. ”The theater that I put at your disposal asks of you only three things: that you have skill, knowledge, and ideas.” (Schwandt, 24)
July 31, 1856:
Le “66”, an operetta by Jacques Offenbach (37) to words of de Forges and Chapelle (under the pseudonym Laurencin), is performed for the first time, by the Bouffes-Parisiens at Salle Marigny, Paris.
September 23, 1856:
Le financier et le savetier, an operetta by Jacques Offenbach (37) to words of Crémieux and About, is performed for the first time, at the Bouffes-Parisiens, Paris.
October 14, 1856:
La bonne d’enfants, an operetta by Jacques Offenbach (37) to words of Bercioux, is performed for the first time, at the Bouffes-Parisiens, Paris.
December 29, 1856:
A jury of eleven, including Daniel Auber (74), Ambroise Thomas (45), and Charles Gounod (38), announces the first prize in a composition competition sponsored by Jacques Offenbach (37) and the Bouffes-Parisiens. The prize will be shared by Georges Bizet (18) and Charles Lecocq. See 9 April 1857.
January 15, 1857:
Les trois baisers du diable, an operetta by Jacques Offenbach (37) to words of Mestépès, is performed for the first time, at the Bouffes-Parisiens, Paris.
February 12, 1857:
Croquefer, ou Le dernier des Paladins, an operetta by Jacques Offenbach (37) to words of Jaime and Tréfeu, is performed for the first time, by the Bouffes-Parisiens, Paris.
April 9, 1857:
Le Docteur Miracle, an operetta by Georges Bizet (18) to words of Battu and Halévy, is performed for the first time, for a competition sponsored by Jacques Offenbach (37) and the Bouffes-Parisiens at their theatre in Paris.
April 30, 1857:
Dragonette, an opérette-bouffe by Jacques Offenbach (37) to words of Mestépès and Jaime, is performed for the first time, at the Bouffes-Parisiens, Paris.
May 16, 1857:
Vent du soir, ou L’horrible festin, an operetta by Jacques Offenbach (37) to words of Gille, is performed for the first time, at the Bouffes-Parisiens, Paris.
July 27, 1857:
Une demoiselle en lôterie, an operetta by Jacques Offenbach (38) to words of Jaime and Crémieux, is performed for the first time, at the Bouffes-Parisiens, Paris.
November 13, 1857:
Les deux pêcheurs, a bouffonnerie musicale by Jacques Offenbach (38) to words of Dupeuty and Bourget, is performed for the first time, at the Bouffes-Parisiens, Paris.
March 3, 1858:
Mesdames de la Halle, an operetta by Jacques Offenbach (38) to words of Lapointe, is performed for the first time, at the Bouffes-Parisiens, Paris.
April 19, 1858:
La chatte metamorphosée en femme, an operetta by Jacques Offenbach (38) to words of Scribe and Mélesville, is performed for the first time, at the Bouffes-Parisiens, Paris.
October 21, 1858:
Orphée aux enfers, an opéra-bouffon by Jacques Offenbach (39) to words of Crémieux and Halévy, is performed for the first time, at the Bouffes-Parisiens, Paris. The public is tepid, the press is negative. It will eventually succeed.
June 5, 1859:
Orphée aux enfers by Jacques Offenbach (39) ends its first run of 228 performances at the Bouffes-Parisiens. It could continue but Offenbach decides to give it a rest, mostly due to the exhaustion of the performers.
June 22, 1859:
Le mari à la porte, an operetta by Jacques Offenbach (40) to words of Delacour, is performed for the first time, at the Bouffes-Parisiens, Paris.
July 6, 1859:
Les vivandières de la grande armée, an operetta by Jacques Offenbach (40) to words of Jaime and de Forges, is performed for the first time, at the Bouffes-Parisiens, Paris.
November 19, 1859:
Geneviève de Brabant, an opéra-bouffon by Jacques Offenbach (40) to words of Jaime and Tréfeu, is performed for the first time, at the Bouffes-Parisiens, Paris.
February 10, 1860:
Le carnaval des revues by Jacques Offenbach (40) to words of Grangé, Gille, and Halévy is performed for the first time, at the Bouffes-Parisiens, Paris.
March 27, 1860:
Daphnis et Chloé, an operetta by Jacques Offenbach (40) to words of Nicolaie (pseud. of Clairville) and Cordier (pseud. of de Vaulabelle), is performed for the first time, at the Bouffes-Parisiens, Paris.
April 27, 1860:
Emperor Napoléon III attends a performance of Orphée aux enfers and presents the composer, Jacques Offenbach (40) with gifts.
November 26, 1860:
Le papillon, a ballet by Jacques Offenbach (41) to a scenario by Taglioni and Saint-Georges, is performed for the first time, at the Paris Opéra. Some see it as a desecration of the Opéra but the audience loves it.
December 24, 1860:
Barkouf, an opéra-bouffe by Jacques Offenbach (41) to words of Scribe and Boisseaux, is performed for the first time, at the Opéra-Comique, Paris.
January 5, 1861:
La chanson de Fortunio, an opéra-comique by Jacques Offenbach (41) to words of Crémieux and Halévy, is performed for the first time, at the Bouffes-Parisiens, Paris.
March 23, 1861:
Le pont des soupirs, an opéra-bouffon by Jacques Offenbach (41) to words of Crémieux and Halévy, is performed for the first time, at the Bouffes-Parisiens, Paris.
May 31, 1861:
M. Choufleuri restera chez lui le..., an operetta by Jacques Offenbach (41) to words of Saint-Rémy (pseud. of le Duc de Morny), L’Epine, Crémieux, and Halévy, is performed for the first time, at the Présidence du Corps Législatif, Paris.
August 15, 1861:
Emperor Napoléon III creates Jacques Offenbach (42) a Chevalier of the Legion of Honor.
October 17, 1861:
Apothicaire et perruquier, an operetta by Jacques Offenbach (42) to words of Frébault, is performed for the first time, at the Bouffes-Parisiens, Paris.
December 10, 1861:
Le roman comique, an opéra-bouffe by Jacques Offenbach (42) to words of Crémieux and Halévy, is performed for the first time, at the Bouffes-Parisiens, Paris.
January 11, 1862:
Monsieur et Madame Denis, an opéra-comique by Jacques Offenbach (42) to words of Laurencin (pseud. of Chapelle) and Delaporte, is performed for the first time, at the Bouffes-Parisiens, Paris.
January 14, 1862:
La Demoiselle de Nanterre, a vaudeville by Jacques Offenbach (42) to words of Grangé and Lambert-Thiboust, is performed for the first time, in the Palais-Royal, Paris.
January 26, 1862:
Jacques Offenbach (42) writes to the Duc de Morney that he is giving up management of the Bouffes-Parisiens.
March 22, 1862:
Le voyage de MM. Dunanan père et fils, an opéra-bouffe by Jacques Offenbach (42) to words of Siraudin and Moinaux, is performed for the first time, at the Bouffes-Parisiens, Paris.
July 11, 1862:
Bavard et Bavarde (later called Les Bavards ), an opéra-comique by Jacques Offenbach (42) to words of Nuitter after Cervantes, is performed for the first time, at Bad Ems.
October 14, 1862:
Jacqueline, an operetta by Jacques Offenbach (43) to words of d’Archy (pseud. of Crémieux and Halévy), is performed for the first time, at the Bouffes-Parisiens, Paris.
January 29, 1863:
Giacomo Meyerbeer (71) presents Jacques Offenbach (43) to Queen Augusta of Prussia in Berlin.
May 9, 1863:
Le brésilien, a comédie-vaudeville by Jacques Offenbach (43) to words of Meilhac and Halévy, is performed for the first time, at the Palais-Royal, Paris.
July 11, 1863:
Il Signor Fagotto, an opéra-comique by Jacques Offenbach (44) to words of Nuitter and Tréfeu, is performed for the first time, at Bad Ems.
July 21, 1863:
Lischen et Fritzchen, an operetta by Jacques Offenbach (44) to words of Dubois (pseud. of Boisselot), is performed for the first time, at Bad Ems.
January 5, 1864:
New works are performed for the first time, at the Bouffes-Parisiens, Paris: La tradition, a prologue en vers by Léo Delibes (27) to words of Derville, and L’amour chanteur, an operetta by Jacques Offenbach (44) to words of Nuitter and L’Epine.
February 4, 1864:
Die Rheinnixen, a romantische Oper by Jacques Offenbach (44) to words of von Wolzogen after Nuitter, is performed for the first time, at the Vienna Hofoper.
March 16, 1864:
Les géorgiennes, an opéra-bouffe by Jacques Offenbach (44) to words of Moinaux, is performed for the first time, at the Bouffes-Parisiens, Paris.
June 4, 1864:
La Succession Bonnet, a comédie-vaudeville by Jacques Offenbach (44) to words of Saint-Rémy, is performed for the first time, in the Salons du Corps législatif, Paris.
July 12, 1864:
Le fif re enchanté, ou Le soldat magicién, an opéra-comique by Jacques Offenbach (45) to words of Nuitter and Tréfeu, is performed for the first time, at Bad Ems.
July 19, 1864:
Jeanne qui pleure et Jean qui rit, an operetta by Jacques Offenbach (45) to words of Nuitter and Tréfeu, is performed for the first time, at Bad Ems.
December 17, 1864:
La belle Hélène, an opéra-bouffe by Jacques Offenbach (45) to words of Meilhac and Halevy, is performed for the first time, at the Variétés, Paris. The public is lukewarm. Critics don’t like the irreverence. It will eventually succeed.
December 24, 1864:
Incidental music to Hippolyte and Théodore Cogniard’s féerie La Fille de l’air by Jacques Offenbach (45) is performed for the first time, at the Folies-Dramatiques, Paris.
July 11, 1865:
Coscoletto, ou Le lazzarone, an opéra-comique by Jacques Offenbach (46) to words of Nuitter and Tréfeu, is performed for the first time, at Bad Ems.
September 21, 1865:
Les refrains des bouffes, a fantaisie musicale by Jacques Offenbach (46), is performed for the first time, at the Bouffes-Parisiens, Paris.
December 11, 1865:
Les bergers, an opéra-comique by Jacques Offenbach (46) to words of Crémieux and Gille, is performed for the first time, at the Bouffes-Parisiens, Paris.
February 5, 1866:
Barbe-bleue, an opéra-comique by Jacques Offenbach (46) to words of Meilhac and Halévy, is performed for the first time, at the Variétés, Paris.
October 31, 1866:
La vie parisiènne, an opéra-bouffe by Jacques Offenbach (47) to words of Meilhac and Halevy, is performed for the first time, at the Palais-Royal, Paris. It is a resounding triumph.
April 12, 1867:
La Grande-Duchesse de Gérolstein, an opéra-bouffe by Jacques Offenbach (47) to words of Meilhac and Halévy, is performed for the first time, at the Variétés, Paris. The production takes place during the Paris Exposition Universelle so many foreign dignitaries attend. The reaction is mixed and the creators make cuts tonight producing a much more successful version.
July 9, 1867:
La permission de dix heures, an opéra-comique by Jacques Offenbach (48) to words of Mélesville (pseud. of Duveyrier), is performed for the first time, at Bad Ems.
July 20, 1867:
La leçon de chant électromagnétique, a bouffonnerie musicale by Jacques Offenbach (48) to words of Bourget, is performed for the first time, at Bad Ems.
November 23, 1867:
Robinson Crusoé, an opéra-comique by Jacques Offenbach (48) to words of Cormon and Crémieux after Defoe, is performed for the first time, at the Opéra-Comique, Paris.
May 6, 1868:
Le château à Toto, an opéra-bouffe by Jacques Offenbach (48) to words of Meilhac and Halévy, is performed for the first time, at the Palais-Royal, Paris.
September 30, 1868:
L’île de Tulipatan, an opéra-bouffe by Jacques Offenbach (49) to words of Chivot and Duru, is performed for the first time, at the Bouffes-Parisiens, Paris.
October 6, 1868:
La Périchole, an opéra-bouffe by Jacques Offenbach (49) to words of Meilhac and Halévy, is performed for the first time, at the Variétés, Paris. It is very successful.
March 10, 1869:
Vert-vert, an opéra-comique by Jacques Offenbach (49) to words of Meilhac and Nuitter, is performed for the first time, at the Opéra-Comique, Paris. It is relatively successful.
March 22, 1869:
La diva, an opéra-bouffe by Jacques Offenbach (49) to words of Meilhac and Halévy, is performed for the first time, at the Bouffes-Parisiens, Paris. It is a failure.
July 31, 1869:
La princesse de Trébizonde, an opéra-bouffe by Jacques Offenbach (50) to words of Nuitter and Tréfeu, is performed for the first time, in the Kurtheater, Baden-Baden.
December 10, 1869:
Les brigandes, an opéra-bouffe by Jacques Offenbach (50) to words of Meilhac and Halévy, is performed for the first time, at the Variétés, Paris.
December 11, 1869:
La romance de la rose, an operetta by Jacques Offenbach (50) to words of Tréfeu and Prével, is performed for the first time, at the Bouffes-Parisiens, Paris.
December 14, 1871:
Boule de neige, an opéra-bouffe by Jacques Offenbach (52) to words of Nuitter and Tréfeu, is performed for the first time, at the Bouffes-Parisiens, Paris.
January 15, 1872:
Le Roi Carotte, an opéra-bouffe-féerie by Jacques Offenbach (52) to words of Sardou after Hoffmann, is performed for the first time, at the Gaité, Paris. It is a big success.
January 18, 1872:
Fantasio, an opéra-comique by Jacques Offenbach (52) to words of de Musset, is performed for the first time, at the Opéra-Comique, Paris.
March 8, 1872:
Fleurette, oder Näherin und Trompeter, a komische Operette by Jacques Offenbach (52) to words of Hopp and Zell (pseud. of Walzel) after de Forges and Laurencin (pseud. of Chapelle), is performed for the first time, in the Carltheater, Vienna.
September 21, 1872:
Der schwarzer Korsar, a komische Operette by Jacques Offenbach (53) to words of Genée, Nuitter, Tréfeu, and the composer, is performed for the first time, in the Theater an der Wien, Vienna.
January 29, 1873:
Les braconniers, an opéra-bouffe by Jacques Offenbach (53) to words of Chivot and Duru, is performed for the first time, at the Variétès, Paris.
June 1, 1873:
Jacques Offenbach (53) takes over management of the Théâtre de la Gaîté, Paris.
September 2, 1873:
Incidental music to Barrière and Davyl’s drame Le gascon by Jacques Offenbach (54), is performed for the first time, in the Théâtre de la Gaîté, Paris. This first production under Offenbach’s management of the Gaîté is a flop.
September 4, 1873:
Pomme d’api, an operetta by Jacques Offenbach (54) to words of Halévy and Busnach, is performed for the first time, at the Théâtre de la Renaissance, Paris.
November 29, 1873:
La jolie parfumeuse, an opéra-comique by Jacques Offenbach (54) to words of Crémieux and Blum, is performed for the first time, at the Théâtre de la Renaissance, Paris.
May 21, 1874:
Bagatelle, an opéra-comique by Jacques Offenbach (54) to words of Crémieux and Blum, is performed for the first time, at the Bouffes-Parisiens, Paris.
June 5, 1874:
Richard D’Oyly Carte takes over the management of the Opera Comique in London. It is his goal to put on stage productions which will be the English equivalents of the operettas of Jacques Offenbach (54).
October 31, 1874:
Madame l’archiduc, an opéra-bouffe by Jacques Offenbach (55) to words of Halévy and Millaud, is performed for the first time, at the Bouffes-Parisiens, Paris.
December 3, 1874:
Incidental music to Sardou’s play La haine by Jacques Offenbach (55) is performed for the first time, in the Théâtre de la Gaîté, Paris. An aimless plot and a snowstorm combine to sink the production.
December 26, 1874:
Whittington, a grand-opéra-bouffe-féerie by Jacques Offenbach (55) to words of Nuitter, Tréfeu, and Farnie, is performed for the first time, at the Alhambra Theatre, London.
February 25, 1875:
Menus-Plaisirs by Jacques Offenbach (55) to words of Crémieux is performed for the first time, at the Théâtre de la Gaîté, Paris.
March 3, 1875:
Carmen, an opéra comique by Georges Bizet (36) to words of Meilhac and Halévy after Mérimée, is performed for the first time, at the Théâtre Favart, Paris. Present are Ambroise Thomas (63), Charles Gounod (56), Léo Delibes (39), Jacques Offenbach (55), Jules Massenet (32) and Vincent d’Indy (23). The work is not a success but will produce a good reception on the second night. Reviews are mixed. Carmen will enjoy 48 performances but the hall will never be filled.
March 25, 1875:
Trial By Jury, an operetta by Arthur Sullivan (32) to words of Gilbert, is performed for the first time, at the Royalty Theatre, London conducted by the composer. It is actually the third work on the program being preceded by a one-act farce called Cryptoconchoidsyphonostomata and a complete performance of La Périchole by Jacques Offenbach (55). Despite the programming, it is an immediate success and runs for 131 performances. The part of the judge is played by the composer’s brother, Frederic.
April 22, 1875:
Les hannetons, a revue de printemps by Jacques Offenbach (55) to words of Grangé and Millaud, is performed for the first time, at the Bouffes-Parisiens, Paris.
May 15, 1875:
Burdened by debts, Jacques Offenbach (55) sells the Théâtre de la Gaîté to Albert Vizentini, his former partner.
October 19, 1875:
La boulangère a des écus, an opéra-bouffe by Jacques Offenbach (56) to words of Meilhac and Halevy is performed for the first time, at the Variétés, Paris. The press likes it, as does the audience.
October 26, 1875:
Le voyage dans la lune, an opéra-féerie by Jacques Offenbach (56) to words of Leterrier, Vanloo, and Mortier, is performed for the first time, at the Théâtre de la Gaité, Paris.
November 3, 1875:
La créole, an opéra-comique by Jacques Offenbach (56) to words of Millaud and Meilhac, is performed for the first time, at the Bouffes-Parisiens, Paris.
December 14, 1875:
Tarte à la crème, a valse by Jacques Offenbach (56) to words of Millaud, is performed for the first time, at the Bouffes-Parisiens, Paris.
April 21, 1876:
Jacques Offenbach (56) leaves Paris for a concert tour of the United States.
April 22, 1876:
Jacques Offenbach (56) departs Le Havre aboard the Canada for New York.
May 6, 1876:
Jacques Offenbach (56) arrives in New York from France aboard the French ship Canada for concert engagements in New York and Philadelphia.
May 11, 1876:
In his first concert in America, Jacques Offenbach (56) conducts an orchestra of 100 members before 8,000 people in Gilmore’s Gardens, New York. With expectations very high, the audience is a bit disappointed. Only half remain at the end.
June 9, 1876:
Jacques Offenbach (56) gives the last of 30 concerts in New York. The success of these performances has grown since the original disappointment of 11 May.
June 12, 1876:
Jacques Offenbach (56) produces La vie parisienne in New York to spectacular success.
June 19, 1876:
Jacques Offenbach gives his first concert in Philadelphia on the eve of his 57th birthday. Among the first violin section of the International Exhibition Orchestra is John Philip Sousa (21).
July 7, 1876:
Jacques Offenbach (57) gives his last concert in the United States, to benefit the musicians’ union in New York.
July 8, 1876:
Jacques Offenbach (57) boards the Canada in New York for France after concert engagements in New York and Philadelphia.
October 13, 1876:
Pierrette et Jacquot, an operetta by Jacques Offenbach (57) to words of Noriac and Gille, is performed for the first time, at the Bouffes-Parisiens, Paris.
November 3, 1876:
La boîte au lait, an opéra-bouffe by Jacques Offenbach (57) to words of Grangé and Noriac, is performed for the first time, at the Bouffes-Parisiens, Paris.
January 26, 1877:
Le Docteur OX, an opéra-bouffe by Jacques Offenbach (57) to words of Mortier and Gille after Verne, is performed for the first time, at the Variétés, Paris.
February 10, 1877:
La Foire Saint-Laurent, an opéra-bouffe by Jacques Offenbach (57) to words of Crémieux and de Saint-Albin, is performed for the first time, at the Folies-Dramatiques, Paris.
February 11, 1877:
Le Siècle publishes an article entitled “Offenbach in America” wherein the newspaper charges that on his return trip to France, Jacques Offenbach (57) ridiculed France to the rage of captain and passengers. This begins “L’affaire Offenbach” including senators and deputies acrimoniously debating exactly who said what.
March 13, 1878:
Maître Péronilla, an opéra-bouffe by Jacques Offenbach (58) to words of Nuitter, Ferrier, and the composer, is performed for the first time, at the Bouffes-Parisiens, Paris.
December 28, 1878:
Madame Favart, an opéra-comique by Jacques Offenbach (59) to words of Chivot and Duru, is performed for the first time, at the Folies-Dramatiques, Paris.
January 13, 1879:
La marocaine, an opéra-bouffe by Jacques Offenbach (59) to words of Ferrier and Halévy, is performed for the first time, at the Bouffes-Parisiens, Paris.
May 18, 1879:
Completed sections of Jacques Offenbach’s (59) Les contes d’Hoffmann are performed to 300 of the composer’s family and friends in his Paris apartment. Two impresarios offer to stage the work and Offenbach opts for the Opéra-Comique.
December 13, 1879:
La fille du tambour-major, an opéra-comique by Jacques Offenbach (60) to words of Chivot and Duru, is performed for the first time, at the Folies-Dramatiques, Paris. The audience is ecstatic.
October 4, 1880:
While composing the last act of Les contes d’Hoffmann, Jacques Offenbach (61) collapses. Upon regaining consciousness he says, “I think tonight will be the end.”
October 5, 1880:
03:30 Jacques Offenbach dies surrounded by his family in his home at 8 boulevard des Capucines in the Ninth Arrondissment, Paris, Republic of France, of heart failure brought on by gout, aged 61 years, three months, and 15 days. Le Figaro devotes its first two pages to the news.
October 7, 1880:
A funeral in memory of Jacques Offenbach is held at the Church of the Madeleine attended by a host of artistic Paris, including Ambroise Thomas (69), Johann Strauss (54), and Jules Massenet (38). Offenbach’s earthly remains are laid to rest in the Montmartre Cemetery.
October 30, 1880:
Belle Lurette, an opéra-comique by Jacques Offenbach (†0) to words of Blum, Blau, and Toché, is performed for the first time, at the Théâtre de la Renaissance, Paris. The work was completed by Léo Delibes (44).
February 10, 1881:
Les contes d’Hoffmann, an opéra-fantastique by Jacques Offenbach (†0) to words of Barbier completed by Guiraud, is performed for the first time, at the Opéra-Comique, Paris.
May 10, 1881:
Mam’zelle Moucheron, an opérette-bouffe by Jacques Offenbach (†0) to words of Leterrier and Vanloo, is performed for the first time, at the Théâtre de la Renaissance, Paris.