Barcarolle — Offenbach Sheet Music
The iconic duet from Les Contes d'Hoffmann, reimagined for Orchestra, Choir & Soloists by Paul Lorenz
Edition facts
Barcarolle by Jacques Offenbach, arranged by Paul Lorenz for SATB choir and orchestra: full score (13 pages) and separate parts (38 pages), delivered as a PDF (A4) for instant download, €49.90.
- Instrumentation
- Flute, Oboe, Clarinet, Bassoon · Horn, Trumpet, Trombone · Piano · Violin I, Violin II, Viola, Cello, Double bass
- Choir
- SATB
- Pages
- 51 pages — full score (13) + separate parts (38)
- Tempo
- ♪ = 160
- Edition
- 2025
- Format
- PDF, A4, instant download
Read from the PDF you download.
“Belle nuit, ô nuit d'amour...” — Few melodies in the operatic canon possess the ethereal beauty and instant recognition of Offenbach's Barcarolle. This arrangement transforms the beloved duet into a monumental work for full orchestra, SATB choir, and soprano soloists, capturing every shimmering harmonic layer of the original while adding the lush depth that only a symphonic palette can deliver.
Designed for professional ensembles who demand excellence, this performance-ready score adheres to MOLA engraving standards. Every staff, every dynamic marking, every page turn has been meticulously crafted to serve one purpose: letting you and your musicians focus entirely on the music.
Hear the arrangement
Paul Lorenz’ own studio recording of this arrangement.
Listen to the full recording Artyfile Stream · lossless Hi-FiChoose your “Barcarolle” edition
Orchestra, Choir & Soloists
€49.90SATB choir and orchestra · 51 pages: score + parts · PDF (A4)
Every part also for other instruments – included ↓
The definitive edition for concert halls and opera houses. Includes the full conductor’s score plus individually extracted parts for every section—ready for the stand, ready for performance.
- Instant PDF download
- Secure checkout
- Licensed edition
Parts for your instrumentation
Every instrumental part of this edition is also available for other instruments – included in the price. Transposed, in the right clef, checked for range and breathing.
| Original part | Also available for |
|---|---|
| Flute | Oboe, Clarinet in B♭, Soprano saxophone in B♭, Violin |
| Oboe | Flute, Clarinet in B♭, Soprano saxophone in B♭, Trumpet in B♭, Violin, Alto saxophone in E♭, English horn in F, Viola |
| Clarinet in B♭ | Flute, Oboe, Soprano saxophone in B♭, Violin, English horn in F, Viola |
| Bassoon | Viola, Cello, Double bass |
| Horn in F | Violin, Viola, Cello |
| Trumpet in B♭ | Violin, Viola |
| Trombone | Alto saxophone in E♭, English horn in F, Viola, Tenor saxophone in B♭, Euphonium, Bassoon, Bass clarinet in B♭, Cello, Double bass |
| Violin I | Viola |
| Violin II | Viola |
| Viola | Violin, Cello |
| Cello | Double bass |
Buy. After your purchase you receive your personal link to the Part Configurator by e-mail.
Choose part and instrument. For example the Oboe part as Alto saxophone in E♭.
Download the PDF. The first time a part is requested it takes about a minute to set; after that it is ready at once – with your name as the license notice.
How the Part Configurator works →Need a different instrumentation? After your purchase you can send Paul Lorenz a request.
Quality in detail
- MOLA-Compliant Engraving: 8.5mm staff size and 600 DPI resolution for crystal-clear reading at any distance.
- Intelligent Page Layouts: Optimized page turns and generous margins (0.8″) for annotations and real-world conducting.
- Rehearsal-Ready Notation: Measure numbers at every system with clearly marked rehearsal letters at major landmarks.
- Instant PDF Delivery: Download begins immediately after purchase—no shipping delays, no waiting.
- Complete Instrumentation: Every part professionally extracted and proofread. No missing pages, no surprises at rehearsal.
- Bespoke Customization Available: Every instrumental part is also available for other instruments — the oboe part for alto saxophone, for example — through the Part Configurator included with your purchase. For anything else, contact us for tailored instrumentation adjustments.
Barcarolle sheet music at a glance
| Song | Barcarolle — Jacques Offenbach, from Les Contes d’Hoffmann (1881); public domain |
| Arrangement | Full orchestra with SATB choir and soprano soloists |
| Arranger | Paul Lorenz — arrangements recorded with the London Symphony Orchestra at Abbey Road |
| Scoring | Full conductor’s score (A3) plus every orchestral part, the SATB choral score, and separate soprano solo parts |
| Difficulty | Professional and advanced ensembles |
| Format | High-resolution PDF — instant download, print- and tablet-ready |
| Licensing | Public-domain work; arrangement licensed for performances by the purchasing ensemble; standard PRO reporting (GEMA/AKM/SUISA or ASCAP/BMI/PRS) by the organiser |
| Reference recording | Paul Lorenz’ own studio recording — on this page and on Artyfile Stream |
| Price | €49.90 |
Is this edition right for you?
Program the Barcarolle when you want a moment of shimmering, unmistakable beauty at the heart of a concert. This edition is written for:
- Symphony orchestras pairing full strings, winds, brass, percussion and harp with choir
- Opera and concert-hall productions wanting the celebrated duet on a symphonic scale
- Advanced choral-orchestral ensembles with experienced SATB singers and soprano soloists
- Festival and gala programmes seeking a familiar, luminous centrepiece
Need a transposition or a different voicing? Paul Lorenz adapts it on request — just ask before you buy.
What you receive
- The full conductor’s score in A3 format
- Every orchestral part — strings, woodwinds, brass, percussion and harp — plus the SATB choral score and soprano solo parts, individually extracted
- High-resolution PDFs, delivered instantly and yours to keep — no rental
Programming Barcarolle
The Barcarolle is a gift to a programme: its gentle 6/8 lilt and instantly recognised melody make it an ideal lyrical still-point between weightier works, or a serene encore that sends an audience home smiling. Let the tempo breathe — the piece lives in its rocking, gondola-like sway rather than in forward drive — and shape the choral and solo lines as a single, unhurried arc. It sits beautifully after a dramatic first half, or alongside other operatic and Romantic favourites. Explore the related arrangements below to build the rest of the programme.
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Barcarolle sheet music — frequently asked questions
Can I hear this arrangement before I buy?
Yes. The player near the top of this page carries Paul Lorenz’ own studio recording of this arrangement, and it also streams in lossless quality on Artyfile Stream.
What exactly is included in the download?
You receive a complete, performance-ready package: the full conductor’s score in A3 format, all individual orchestral parts (strings, woodwinds, brass, percussion, harp), the SATB choral score, and separate soprano solo parts. Everything is delivered as high-resolution PDF files optimized for both screen reading and professional printing.
What is the difficulty level of this arrangement?
This arrangement is designed for professional and advanced ensembles. The orchestral parts are suitable for symphony orchestras and advanced community ensembles. The choral writing is accessible to experienced SATB choirs with solid sight-reading abilities.
Do I need a performance license?
Offenbach’s original Barcarolle is in the public domain. Your purchase includes the license to perform this arrangement with the purchasing ensemble — concerts and events included. Any reporting of the public performance to a performing-rights society (GEMA/AKM/SUISA, or ASCAP/BMI/PRS elsewhere) is handled by the organiser as usual. For commercial recordings or broadcast, please contact us directly.
Can the arrangement be customized for my ensemble?
Absolutely. Paul Lorenz Music offers bespoke customization services—a capability unique in the industry. Whether you need alternative instrumentation, transpositions, or adjustments to accommodate your specific roster, we can tailor this arrangement to your exact requirements. Contact us directly to discuss your needs.
What is your refund policy?
Due to the digital nature of our products, we cannot offer refunds once the download has been accessed. We encourage you to review the score preview carefully and contact us with any questions before purchasing.
Can I play the Oboe part on Alto saxophone in E♭?
Yes. The Part Configurator is included in the price: the Oboe part is also available for Flute, Clarinet in B♭, Soprano saxophone in B♭ and Trumpet in B♭ and 4 more instruments – transposed, in the right clef, checked for range and breathing. You receive the link by e-mail after your purchase.
Which parts are available for other instruments?
11 instrumental parts for 15 instruments in all. The overview “Parts for your instrumentation” on this page lists every original part with its instruments. For a different instrumentation you can send Paul Lorenz a request after your purchase.
Am I allowed to use the re-scored parts?
Yes. Parts from the Part Configurator belong to the edition you bought and are covered by the same license – for your ensemble, with the same rights of use. Every part carries the notice “Licensed to …” in its footer. For public performances the organiser registers the performance with the collecting society as usual (e.g. PRS, ASCAP/BMI, GEMA).