Asmodée, ou La Philosophie du Díable

Asmodée, ou La Philosophie du Díable is a French opéra-comique[1] in five acts, by an anonymous author.

The original text

It is referred to in the advert as "het niewe stuk" ("the new piece"), but no text or reference to such a French play can be found. Bosman (1928, p. 129) suggests that this may possibly have been a translated version of Asmodeus der Krumme Teufel, a three act opera comique[2] by Joseph Felix von Kurz (1717-1784)[3], with music by Joseph Haydn (1732-1809)[4].

Another very likely candidate text may have been Les Effets de la Haine et de la Constance, ou Asmodée Diable Boîteux ("the effects of hatred and constancy, or Asmodée the lame devil"), a comic "Opéra-Féerie" in prose and three acts. Inspired by the novel Le Sage, with a text by Verteuil L'Aîné and music by Guillmino, it was first performed by Les Comédiens De Toulouse and in Marsellies, in 1777 and published in 1779.

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".

Sources

http://books.google.co.za/books/about/Asmodeus_der_krumme_Teufel.html?id=PM25mwEACAAJ&redir_esc=y

Facsimile version of Asmodeus der Krumme Teufel by Kurtz, the Bayerischen Staatsbibliothek[5]

Facsimile version of Les Effets de la Haine et de la Constance, ou Asmodée Diable Boîteux, BnF Gallica[6]

F.C.L. Bosman. 1928. Drama en Toneel in Suid-Afrika, Deel I: 1652-1855. Pretoria: J.H. de Bussy. [7]: pp. p. 129

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