Le voyage dans la lune (operetta) but due to the need to raise the necessary money he did not take up the project. Eventually Albert Vizentini, the new directeur of the Gaîté, took up the idea, and Offenbach's contribution was limited to that of composer. Albert Vanloo and Eugène Leterrier, in association with Arnold Mortier (columnist at Figaro), wrote the libretto. They were hoping for a repeat of the success of the novels of Jules Verne (another, the novel "Le Tour du monde en quatre-vingt jours", had been adapted for the stage at the Théâtre de la Porte Saint-Martin by Verne himself in 1874) and the
Les Vingt-quatre Violons du Roi Les Vingt-quatre Violons du Roi Les Vingt-quatre Violons du Roi (in original orthography "Les Vingt-quatre Violons du Roy") were a famous five-part string orchestra at the French royal court, existing from 1626 to 1761. "Les Vingt-quatre Violons du Roi" (Engl. "The King's 24 Violins") were founded 1626 under Louis XIII. As part of the "Musique de la Chambre" they played an important role in the musical accompaniment of festivities and official events at the Versailles court. If needed they were reinforced by the wind instruments of the "Grande Ecurie", an ensemble that was primarily responsible for open-air and military occasions,