A Soldier’s Tale

Summary: 1960 BBC presentation of the New Opera Company’s production of A Soldier’s Tale, an English translation of the the play L’Histoire du soldat by C. F. Ramuz with music by Igor Stravinsky.
Theatre play: L’Histoire du soldat by C. F. Ramuz and Igor Stravinsky [more information]
Play synopsis: 'A theatrical work "to be read, played, and danced" ("lue, jouée et dansée") by three actors and one or several dancers, accompanied by a septet of instruments. The piece was conceived by Igor Stravinsky and Swiss writer C. F. Ramuz based on a Russian folk tale (The Runaway Soldier and the Devil) drawn from the collection of Alexander Afanasyev. The libretto relates the parable of a soldier who trades his fiddle to the devil in return for unlimited economic gain. The music is scored for a septet of violin, double bass, clarinet, bassoon, cornet (often played on trumpet), trombone, and percussion, and the story is told by three actors: the soldier, the devil, and a narrator, who also takes on the roles of minor characters. A dancer plays the non-speaking role of the princess, and there may also be additional ensemble dancers.' Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Histoire_du_soldat.
Production history: Premiered in Lausanne, Switzerland on 28 September 1918, conducted by Ernest Ansermet.
Date of transmission: Sunday 14 August 1960
Time: 10.05-10.55pm
Channel: BBC Television
Production company: BBC
Theatre company: New Opera Company