LYRIC THEATRE, in our 48th year of high quality live musical theater productions, presents a world premiere musical biography of the famous composer, Jacques Offenbach, conceived and written by San Francisco-based, award-winning, ASCAP-affiliated composer Ken Malucelli.
Semi staged, with a cast of nine seasoned Bay Area singing artists, accompanied by our professional pianists on twin electric keyboards.
"Cher Jacques!" walks, talks and sings its way through the life of Offenbach: childhood; family; friends; romance; marriage; celebrities; history; politics; fame and fortune.
Synopsis: Born in 1819 in Cologne, Offenbach displayed great musical talent on both violin and cello before reaching his teens and, at age 13, was accepted into the prestigious Conservatoire de Paris by stunning the panel of audition judges; however, after a year, he dropped out, to follow the beat of his own drummer, eventually gaining fame as an instrumental soloist.
Yet his heart was in composing and, under the mentorship of famed composer Fromental Halevy, began writing the first of what ultimately became over 100 comic operas, several of which remain in worldwide repertoire: "Perichole," "Belle Helene," "Vie Parisienne," "Grand Duchess of Gerolstein," "Orpheus in the Underworld," and "Tales of Hoffmann." The show will include highlights from these operas.
Stage Director: Ken Malucelli
Music Director: Ken Malucelli
Producer: Paul Zawilski
$20.