Le Premier Navigateur

Le Premier Navigateur was billed as a pantomime ballet in three acts with music taken from works by Grétry and with its scenario and choreography by Maximilien Gardel. Based upon a poem by Gesner entitled Daphnis ou le premier navigateur, this composition had its premiere in Paris on 26 July 1785 and enjoyed 17 performances before the end of the year. It was mounted by the artistes on five dates in 1786, and it continued to prove popular enough with audiences to be danced on 80 programs before…