Items of Note

• Sectional for Callaway music. 7:45 pm Thursday, May 1, at Arlene's house (597 Santa Clara).
• Soprano/Alto Sectional. Wednesday, May 7, Arlene's house. 7 pm.
• Tenor/Bass Sectional. Thursday, May 8, Arlene's house. 7 pm.
• Concerts! Just 3 weeks away, May 17 and 18. Please take and post flyers!
• Advertising in the Bella Musica program. If you or someone you know would like to advertise in the Bella Musica program, informational flyers are available at the door. For the upcoming program, please deliver all ad copy and/or details to Cristin Williams by May 9.

Background of the Week: Jacques Offenbach (1819-1880)

Jacques Offenbach (June 20, 1819 -October 4, 1880) was a composer and cellist, the creator of "La vie Parisienne," and an originator of the operetta form, a precursor of the modern musical comedy. He wrote a great deal of dance music, particularly for the can-can. After a successful early career as a virtuoso cellist, he spent most of his time working in theatres such as the Théatre Français and Bouffes Parisiens. In 1855 he opened his own theatre, where his light-hearted stage-works were performed. He continued a successful career, devoted largely to operetta and opéras comiques, until his death in 1880. Out of 90 or so operettas, few of which have survived, the best known is Orphée aux enfers (Orpheus in the Underworld), which is remembered especially for its famous can-can (“Le Galop Infernal”). Other operettas include La Belle Hélène (Fair Helen) and La Vie Parisienne. Offenbach's final opera, Les Contes d'Hoffmann (The Tales of Hoffmann), was completed after the composer's death by Bizet's friend Ernest Guiraud. Les Contes is based on stories by E.T.A. Hoffmann, including the tale of Dr. Coppelius and his life-like creation, the doll Coppélia. The most popular melody in the opera is the Barcarolle, or “Belle Nuit.”

Although completely identified with France, Offenbach was of German-Jewish origin. He is buried in the Cimetière de Montmartre, Paris, France. [Adapted from Wikipedia and Karadar]

Shameless Plugs:

• John Poole Workshop. Flyers for this exciting opportunity to work with the internationally-known conductor are available by the door. Tuition of $150 includes six rehearsals, a final concert, and all music. Please respond by May 23 to ensure a spot in the workshop, which will be held June 22-29 at Trinity Episcopal Church in San Francisco.
• Mozart’s Don Giovanni. With Christina Schiffner (soloist at Bella Musica’s Bach/Vivaldi sing-along last month) as “Donna Elvira.” The Oakland Metro Theatre, 201 Broadway (Jack London Square), Oakland. May 2nd and 3rd at 7:30 pm; May 4 at 2 pm. (http://berkeleybach.org)
• Berkeley Community Chorus and Orchestra. Brahms’ A German Requiem. With Marcelle Dronkers and Eric Howe, soloists. May 3, 10, 11 (Saturdays 8 pm; Sun. 4 pm). St. Joseph the Worker Church, Berkeley.
• Matthew Edwards in recital. Mathew Edwards, piano, with cellist Stephen Harrison of the Ives Quartet. Boccherini “Sonata No.6,” Saint Saens “Sonata No.1,” Shostakovich “Sonata, Op.40.” Wednesday, May 28, 8 pm at the Campbell Recital Hall. Admission is $10.
• WAVE. The Women’s Antique Vocal Ensemble presents “Equal Writes: Music by women composers from the medieval period to the 21st century.” Hildegard von Bingen, Anne Boleyn, Fanny Mendelssohn-Hensel, Ann Callaway. May 31, 8:00 PM at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, 2300 Bancroft Way, Berkeley. Tickets $5-10.