Poster for the world premiere of Massenet's opera Don César de Bazan at the Opéra-Comique in Paris on 30 November 1872. The libretto by Adolphe d'Ennery, Philippe-François Pinel, and Jules Chantepie is based on Victor Hugo's play Ruy Blas. The title role was sung at the premiere by the Belgian baritone Jacques Bouhy, who created the role of the toreador Escamillo in Carmen three years later.