Ferdinand Lion wrote the libretto based on characters from the short story Das Fräulein von Scuderi by E. T. A. Hoffmann.

[2] Although Britain had to wait until 1970 for a staged performance, a concert performance was presented at the Queen's Hall, London, on 18 December 1936, with the BBC Symphony Orchestra conducted by Clarence Raybould, and starring Miriam Licette as Cardillac's daughter.

[3][4] Hindemith revised both the score and the text, for the reason that, according to Ian Kemp, the musical idiom "seemed crude and undisciplined".

[7] The American premiere took place at the Santa Fe Opera in 1967 using a staging by director Bodo Igesz.

[8] The New Opera Company presented the first staged UK performances in March 1970 at Sadler's Wells.

The Lady promises the Cavalier a tryst that evening if he can bring her Cardillac's most beautiful work.

Though the Officer realizes how much Cardillac values his creations over his own daughter, he offers money for one of the goldsmith's chains.

The crowd sings Cardillac's praises, but as they continue, his words make them wonder about the identity of the murderer.

With his final gesture before dying, he reaches out for the chain around the Officer's neck, not his daughter.