The BnF wishes to acquire an exceptional collection of Offenbach’s work

He is the spiritual author of The Beautiful Helen and of Parisian life, works that wrote the genius of comic opera. Aware of the importance of Jacques Offenbach in the history of music (1819–1880), the National Library of France wishes to acquire an archive collection, classified as a work of major heritage interest, put up for sale by the heirs of Jacqueline Offenbach (1858-1936), youngest daughter of the master of opera-bouffe.

This treasure is made up of a set of autograph manuscripts and scores, photographs, annotated booklets and correspondence. This collection of great wealth is largely unpublished. The BnF launched a subscription on August 22 which will continue until December 31, 2022. It thus wishes that this exceptional ensemble can join its Music Department and thus constitute the most important collection in the world on Offenbach.

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The autograph musical manuscripts cover the entire period of Offenbach’s activity, from his first pieces for orchestra (1833) and for cello (1835), to the Tales of Hoffmann (1880), the ultimate masterpiece by the great Cologne-born composer. This fantastic opera was not only the most performed in the 19th century, but also a classic of the genre whose popularity, 140 years after the death of its composer, is undeniable.

Great artistic value

The collection offered for sale belongs to the heirs of Jacqueline Offenbach (1858-1936), youngest daughter of Jacques Offenbach. It has been preserved in its entirety. It is composed mostly of handwritten scores – including the orchestral scores of seven opéras-bouffes by the composer, including pieces such as Barkouf (1860), The Grand Duchess of Gerolstein (1867), The Princess of Trebizond (1869) and The Tales of Hoffmann (1880).

It contains vocal and instrumental works, certainly the least known part of Offenbach’s work today.
It thus offers a representative sample of all the musical genres in which the composer has tried his hand. It also presents different stages in the writing of the works (sketches, drafts, working manuscripts, final manuscripts, etc.), which make it possible to follow and understand Offenbach’s creative process.

This heritage also includes a fine set of mostly annotated handwritten booklets, iconographic documents as well as archival documents relating mainly to the management of theaters by Offenbach. Personal papers are attached, including letters sent to his wife Herminie.

The entirety of Tales of Hoffmann

The first three acts of Tales of Hoffmann symbolize the richness of this heritage. Their acquisition would complete Act IV already kept at the BnF, thus allowing the assembly of all the scores. Several versions of this masterpiece by Offenbach are also preserved, including a remarkable set of separate vocal parts (roles and choruses) annotated by Offenbach himself and having served for the preview performances organized by the composer at his home. The Music Department of the BnF would thus become the guardian of this major work by Offenbach.

Historical private documents

In this unique fund we will also find the baguette, the Pleyel upright piano that the master kept in his office, painted and photographic portraits, administrative and accounting archives of the management of the Théâtre de la Gaîté and the Bouffes Parisiens, cradle of the operetta to which Offenbach gave his letters of nobility and also an important personal correspondence.

Jacques Offenbach in a few key dates
– 1819: birth in Cologne, Germany
– 1833: arrival in Paris
– 1850: conductor at the Comédie Française
– 1855: foundation of his musical theatre, the Bouffes Parisiens
– 1873: at the head of the new Gaîté theater
– 1880: creation of Tales of Hoffmann
– October 5, 1880: died in Paris
– February 1881: triumph of Tales of Hoffmann

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SEE ALSO – Jean-Claude Yvon for “Mr. Offenbach writes to us»