Jacques Offenbach (20 June 1819 – 5 October 1880) was a German-born French composer, cellist and impresario of the romantic period. He is remembered for his nearly 100 operettas of the 1850s–1870s and his uncompleted opera The Tales of Hoffmann. He was a powerful influence on later composers of the operetta genre, particularly Johann Strauss, Jr. and Arthur Sullivan. His best-known works were continually revived during the 20th century, and many of his operettas continue to be staged in the 21st. The Tales of Hoffman remains part of the standard opera repertory.
Barcarolle “Belle nuit, ô nuit d’amour” from Tales of Hoffmann
BBC Choir and Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Yan Pascal
Tortelier
Belle nuit, ô nuit d’amour (often referred to as the Barcarolle) is a piece from The Tales of Hoffmann, Jacques Offenbach‘s final opera. This piece opens the opera’s third act, set in Venice. It is sung by the characters Giulietta – the protagonist Hoffmann’s love, a Venetian courtesan – and Nicklausse – Hoffmann’s poetic muse, in disguise as his faithful male companion. In addition to the Venetian location it sets the seductive and sinister tone of the Venice act in general and of Giulietta’s character specifically. The music reappears later in the act in a septet, “Hélas! Mon cœur s’égare encore,” which was constructed by editors of the opera