Jacques Offenbach

Barcarole & Can Can

eXplora Grade 1+

One of the funniest composers was the Frenchman with German name 'Offenbach'. Jacques (Jakob) Offenbach was born in Cologne in 1819. In 1833 he came to Paris and, although a foreigner, was accepted at the Conservatoire. He wrote many operettas and satirical music for the Paris theaters. One of his most famous works is 'Orpheus in the Underworld'. From it also come the 'Barcarole' and the 'Can Can'. A barcarole (ital. barcaruola = boatmen's song) is a Venetian gondola song. Everyone knows the image of the boats being led through the narrow waterways of Venice by a singing gondolieri - the typical 6/8 time especially illustrates the wave movements. The Can Can, originally a French ballroom dance of the 19th century became known worldwide as a stage show dance in vaudeville, operetta and revue. In Paris there are two theaters 'Les Folies Bergeres' and 'Le Moulin Rouge' where for many years every evening the performance ends with the music of Offenbach. Also this picture of colorfully dressed dancers lifting their long skirts and legs is known to everyone. A wonderfully funny spectacle. Enjoy your performance with 'Barcarole' and 'Can Can'!