Franco-German composer Jacques Offenbach (1819-1880) is regarded as the founder of modern operetta and established it as an independent genre of musical theatre. His most important work, “Orpheus in the Underworld”, premiered in Offenbach’s theater in Paris on October 21, 1858, bringing him popularity throughout Europe.

“Orpheus in the Underworld” is a jaunty parody on Greek mythology, mainly the legend of Orpheus and Eurydice. At the same time, Offenbach was teasing Paris’ affluent society, ...