It was composed during 1878–1879 to a Russian libretto by the composer, based on several sources: Friedrich Schiller's The Maid of Orleans as translated by Vasily Zhukovsky; Jules Barbier's Jeanne d'Arc; Auguste Mermet's libretto for his own 1876 opera; and Henri Wallon's biography of Joan of Arc.

Dedicated to conductor Eduard Nápravník, this work represents the composer's closest approach to French grand opera, albeit in the Russian language, notably with its inclusion of a ballet in act 2.

The opera is scored for the following forces:[1] In the square in front of the church village girls decorate an oak and sing songs.

The archbishop suddenly appears; courtiers and people tell the king about the rout of the British, the French victory, and the "glorious Maiden" who inspired the soldiers.

Her father, however, believes that all the acts of his daughter are the devil's work and decides to save her soul, even at the cost of her life.

When the king declares her savior of the fatherland, ordering an altar to be erected, the father accuses the daughter of dealing with Satan and challenges her to publicly prove her innocence: "Do your believe yourself holy and pure?"

Dunois attempts to protect the heroine; frightened by a clap of thunder, the citizens, considering it a judgment from heaven, renounce her.

The happy moment is cut short as English soldiers arrive, killing Lionel and capturing Joan.

The citizens filling the square sympathize with the heroine, and doubts grow about the justice of the impending execution.