About the work
One-act ballet by Richard Strauss (Op. 63) on a scenario by Hugo von Hofmannsthal and Count Harry Kessler after the biblical story of Joseph, composed 1912–1914 on commission from Sergei Diaghilev for his Ballets Russes. It premiered on 14 May 1914 at the Paris Opéra, conducted by Strauss himself, with sets by José María Sert and costumes by Léon Bakst.
Plot
The young Joseph is sold as a slave to the court of Potiphar. Potiphar's wife tries to seduce him; when he steadfastly refuses, she seeks revenge by exposing him to her husband's wrath. An angel intervenes and saves Joseph, who is then called by God.
Cultural significance
Originally intended for Vaslav Nijinsky as Joseph, the title role was recast at short notice after his marriage: the then 17-year-old Léonide Massine made his Ballets Russes debut in the part and became a star through it. Because of the outbreak of war, Strauss never received his agreed fee of 6,000 francs.