| Timeline |
| 1819 |
Born Jakob Eberst, 20 June, in Cologne Germany; the son of a Jewish cantor. The name "Offenbach" is taken from the German town that was once the family home |
| 1833 |
Moves to Paris and enters the Conservatoire |
| 1834 |
Plays cello in the orchestra of the Opéra-Comique |
| 1844 |
Marries Herminie d'Alcain; they have four daughters |
| 1849 |
Appointed conductor at the Théâtre Français |
| 1853 |
Composes the first of more than 90 operettas |
| 1855 |
Becomes manager of own theatre, Bouffes-Parisiens |
| 1873 |
His popularity wanes as popular tastes in musical theatre change following the Franco-Prussian War |
| 1880 |
Struggles to finish opera The Tales of Hoffmann; dies in Paris, 5 October |
| 1881 |
Posthumous premiere of The Tales of Hoffman |
