Les bergers

[1] It belongs to the group of more serious works, such as Barkouf, Robinson Crusoé, Vert-Vert and above all Fantasio which became neglected as his contemporaries pigeon-holed Offenbach as simply an amusing composer of opéra bouffe.

[1] It was generally well received by critics but did not run to great success, having to bear comparison with La belle Hélène, Offenbach's most recent hit.

Before the opening, Le Figaro published a letter written by Offenbach to Henri de Villemessant[clarification needed], setting out his artistic aims with the new work.

[5] The first act, using the title Myriame et Daphné (the names of the lovers), was staged as a curtain-raiser at the premiere of Massenet's Thérèse in Monte-Carlo in 1907; with Maggie Teyte in a principal role.

Myriame mistakenly believes that the hunters have killed his love and ends his life, but Éros appears and saves the young man, deciding that the two lovers will go through different ages.