Stravinsky composed L’Historie du Soldat (The Soldier’s Tale) in 1918 while living in Switzerland, in the midst of war torn Europe. Working with the writer Ramuz, he wove the Faustian story of a Soldier who sells his soul to the devil in return for infinite wealth in with his own musical composition. This piece of musical theatre was the first of its kind. The intention was to create an inexpensive, mobile theatre that could be staged simply and taken to the people. Although known as The ‘Soldier’s’ Tale the eponymous protagonist is more truly an everyman figure and the story is universal in its portrayal of the choices we are offered and the shift from innocence to experience.