Strauss had written the title role with Maria Jeritza in mind but, creating quite a sensation at the time, the Dresden opera management refused to pay Jeritza's large fee and cast Elisabeth Rethberg instead as Helen of Troy.
Strauss escribira o papel titular pensando en Maria Jeritza mais, creando bastante sensación na época, a administración da ópera de Dresden rexeitou pagar os enormes honorarios de Jeritza e no seu lugar seleccionou a Elisabeth Rethberg como Helena de Troia.