Le Déserteur

Le Déserteur is an “action ballet” in three acts with a libretto by Maximilien Gardel and a score by Müller . It had its world premiere at Fontainebleau on 21 October 1786 and its first Paris billing on 16 January 1788. Based on Sedaine’s comic opera, it was a great success and remained in repertory until 17 January 1808, when it was dropped after enjoying nearly 200 representations. Mlle Guimard filled the role of Louise opposite Pierre-Gabriel Gardel as Alexis. The ballet is set in a mountain…