Of Faustian inspiration, The Soldier's Tale tells the story of a soldier who meets the Devil. The Devil offers him, in exchange for his fiddle, a book that he says contains untold wealth. But his future wealth does not necessarily induce happiness... Ramuz was inspired by a folk tale written by the Russian writer Afanassiev – though he transformed the story to add a universal value and adapt it to the context of a tormented Europe.

Deprived of his financial resources – blocked in Russia and depending on Diaghilev’s company that ceased all activities during this time - Stravinsky lived this first global war as an exile in Switzerland. He never ceased to create though, mainly thanks to his encounter with poet and novelist Charles-Ferdinand Ramuz in September 1915.

War-related shortages didn’t spare the world of the arts, short of human and financial resources. But for inspired artists such as Stravinsky and Ramuz, these impediments were quickly transformed into strengths. Simpler means – inherent to these times of starvations – resulted in a smaller instruments ensemble and a shorter, more narrative than dramatic text.

Set to Ramuz’s refined words, the composer’s music is amplified throughout the work, reflecting the growing triumph of the Devil.

Soloists and musicians of the Paris Opera Orchestra

With the support of the Orange Foundation, patron of the Paris Opera's audiovisual broadcasts

© Opéra national de Paris - 2021
Picture: © Elena Bauer / OnP