Ballet fantastique in three acts
Music by Ludwig Minkus

World Première
25th February [O.S. 13th February] 1891
Imperial Mariinsky Theatre, Saint Petersburg

Original 1891 Cast
Kalkabrino
Pavel Gerdt

Marietta/Draginiatza
Carlotta Brianza

Olivier
Nikolai Legat

Reuben
Enrico Cecchetti

Cigala
Marie Petipa

René
Felix Kschessinsky

Plot
Set in Provence, Kalkabrino is a fearsome smuggler and bandit, who tries to make the flower seller Marietta his by force. The girl’s lover, the young Olivier, protects her. The great sinner Kalkabrino becomes the victim of evil spirits, among whom is the she-demon Draginiatza, who assumes the form of Marietta. In the end, Kalkabrino pays the ultimate price for his wicked ways when the evil spirits drag him off to Hell.