Le Violon du diable

Le Violon du diable was presented as a fantastic ballet in two acts and four tableaux. Arthur Saint-Léon created its scenario and its choreography; Cesare Pugni composed its score. Despléchin and Thierry provided the scenery for its world premiere at the Opéra on 19 January 1849. The ballet begins with a group of Bretons playing cards and drinking at an inn, when a sinister stranger dressed in black enters their midst. He has the look of death about him, and he stares at the villagers with the…