The libretto was written by Yakov Polonsky and is based on Nikolai Gogol's 1832 story "Christmas Eve" (Russian: Ночь перед Рождеством, Noch péred Rozhdestvóm).

It was written for composer Alexander Serov, who died in 1871 leaving only fragments of an opera on the subject.

The opera was composed between June and 21 August 1874; it was begun during a holiday in Nizy (in Kharkov province) and finished in Usovo.

When Tchaikovsky anonymously submitted the score for a competition under the motto "Ars longa vita brevis est" ("Art is eternal, life is short"), it won, and the composer received 1500 rubles.

November 24] 1876 at the Mariinsky Theatre, conducted by Eduard Nápravník with stage direction by Gennadiy Kondratyev and set design by Mikhail Bocharov and Matvey Shishkov.

Source: www.tchaikovsky-research.net Time: The end of the 18th century Place: In the village of Dikanka, Ukraine; St. Petersburg The widow Solokha agrees to help the Devil steal the moon.

While the storm rages, Solokha rides up to the sky and steals the moon, while Oxana's father Chub and the Deacon are unable to find their way.

A forest sprite warns water nymphs that Vakula is coming and wants to commit suicide.

Vakula requests the tsaritsa's boots to a minuet, and it is granted because it is an unusual and amusing thing to ask.