Overture to Orpheus in the Underworld (1858)

Jacques Offenbach  (1819-1880)

German born Jacques Offenbach was a prolific composer of about 100 French operettas that satirised French society of his time. Orpheus in the Underworld is an irreverent parody of Glucks’ Orfeo ed Euridice. The overture concludes with the risqué Galop Infernal, (you’ll recognise it by another name!), which shocked the Parisian audiences of the day!

Performed: 17/8/2014, 24/8/2014