Jacques Offenbach (1819-1880) was a French composer of nearly 100 light operas, notably "Orphée aux enfers" ("Orpheus in the Underworld"), "La Perichole", and "La Belle Hélène." A serious opera, unfinished at his death, "Les contes d'Hoffmann" (“The Tales of Hoffmann” - completed by Guirard) is his most regularly performed and recorded work.
His most familiar tune is probably the Can-Can from Orpheus in the Underworld.
The United States Marine Hymn ("From the halls of Montezuma...") is based on an Offenbach tune, the Galop from La Belle Hélène.
Categories: [Composers]