Oxford dictionary of dance - Le Violon du Diable
Ballet in two acts with choreography and libretto by Saint-Léon, music
by Pugni, sets by Despléchin and Thierry, and costumes by Lormier. Premiered 19
Jan. 1849 at the Paris Opera, with Cerrito and Saint-Léon. In the ballet, a retelling
of the Faustian legend, the young violinist Urbain is in love with Hélène and
allows the sinister Doctor Matheus (Satan in disguise) to bewitch his violin so
that its beautiful sound will win over the reluctant Hélène. When Matheus comes
to claim the violinist's soul, Urbain refuses. The ballet ends happily when
Urbain is delivered from evil and the lovers are united. At the ballet's
premiere Saint-Léon played the violin as well as dancing the role of Urbain.
Comments