Halévy, who had written the text for Bizet's student opera Le docteur Miracle (1856), was a cousin of Bizet's wife, Geneviève; he and Meilhac had a solid reputation as the librettists of many of Jacques Offenbach's operettas.
Halévy, který napsal text Bizetovy studentské opery Le docteur Miracle (1856), byl bratrancem Bizetovy ženy Geneviève; on i Meilhac měli solidní pověst jako libretisté mnoha operet Jacquese Offenbacha.