Jacques Offenbach (1819-1880) was a German-born French composer and cellist who revolutionized 19th-century music through his creation of operetta, a lighter and more comedic form of opera. His witty, satirical works such as "Orphée aux enfers" and "La Vie parisienne" became enormously popular and influenced musical theater for generations to come. Offenbach's infectious melodies and clever orchestrations made him one of the most celebrated composers of the Second Empire in France.
