The libretto, an adaptation of Marie von Borch's German translation of the fairy-tale play Der var engang by the Danish author Holger Drachmann, was written by Maximilian Singer.

Mahler insisted on numerous changes during rehearsals: the closing portion of Act One was reworked and several cuts implemented, including the central section of the Prelude.

Revivals followed in Mannheim in May of that year (with Zemlinsky's former pupil Artur Bodanzky conducting), and in October at the Neues Deutsches Theater in Prague, under the composer's direction.

The principal roles were sung by Eva Johansson (Princess), Kurt Westi (Prince), Per-Arne Wahlgren (Kaspar) and Aage Haugland (King).

[2] The original version of the Prelude, reinstating the 30-bar central section omitted in Mahler's performances, was recorded by the Czech Phiharmonic Orchestra conducted by Antony Beaumont in 2001.