Asmodeus der Krumme Teufel

Asmodeus der Krumme Teufel is a three act opéra-comique[1] by Joseph Felix von Kurz (1717-1784)[2], with music by Joseph Haydn (1732-1809)[3].

The original text

Der Krumme Teufel ("The Lame Devil" or "The Limping Devil") is a Singspiel[4] in two acts by Joseph Felix von Kurz (1717-1784)[5], with music by Joseph Haydn (1732-1809)[6]. First performed ca. 1751, but banned after 2 performances, but was performed again in 1752, and a revised version, Der Neue Krumme Teufel ("The Return of the Lame Devil" or literally "The New Limping Devil"), was performed in 1757 or 1758, and published ca. 1760.

It would appear that another revised, three act, version entitled Asmodeus der Krumme Teufel was then written by Von Kurz, published and printed by Johann Thomas Edlen von Trattnern, in 1770.

Translations and adaptations

F.C.L. Bosman (1928[7]: p. 129) suggests that the 1770 text may possibly have been translated into French as Asmodée, ou La Philosophie du Díable for performance in South Africa.

South African performances

1811: Performed in Cape Town as Asmodée, ou La Philosophie du Díable on 15 July by the teacher François Agron with his young students (under 14 years of age), and billed as a "new piece".