Celebrating the wit, sparkle, and theatrical verve of Jacques Offenbach, Homage Mécanique presents a rare sonic time capsule: 20 excerpts from operas and operettas captured from original mechanical pianos and fairground organs—the very media that diffused his music before the age of the phonograph. Curated by Malibran, this double CD restores four seldom-heard titles to circulation—Le Papillon (1860), La Diva (1869), Le Roi Carotte (1872), and La Marocaine (1879)—offering a vivid window into how Offenbach’s melodies were experienced in his own era. Without sung text, the arrangements foreground Offenbach’s irresistible rhythmic lift, dance forms, and melodic charm, underscoring his monumental impact on 19th‑century musical theater and popular entertainment. A compelling document for collectors, historians, and opera lovers alike, this anthology connects modern listeners with the immediacy, color, and carnival spirit that made Offenbach a legend.

• Artist: Jacques Offenbach
• Format: Audio CD
• Release Type: Compilation
• Genre: Classical, Operetta, Orchestral, Chamber Music
• Label: Malibran

• Edition: Standard Edition
• Addition of four works new to CD: Le Papillon (1860), La Diva (1869), Le Roi Carotte (1872), La Marocaine (1879)
• Historically informed transfers from mechanical pianos (pianolas) and fairground organs; instrumental reproductions without vocals

• Media: 2× Audio CD
• Packaging: Jewel Case
• Extras: Archival-style program centered on pre-phonographic reproductions

Jacques Offenbach (1819–1880) was a trailblazer of 19th‑century musical theater, whose effervescent operettas transformed Parisian stage culture and influenced composers from Johann Strauss II to later masters of comic opera. Renowned for sparkling orchestration, dance-infused rhythms, and satirical storytelling, he bridged popular entertainment and sophisticated composition, culminating in the enduring masterpiece Les Contes d’Hoffmann. Offenbach’s music spread widely in his lifetime via salon arrangements, mechanical pianos, and fairground organs—formats that carried his melodies beyond the opera house and into public spaces. This collection captures that vital historical channel, revealing the immediacy and charm that cemented his legacy.