the orchestral version was first performed at a concert lamoureux under the baton of charles lamoureux on november 25, 1888. three days later, the choral version was premiered at a concert of the société nationale de musique. in 1891, the countess finally helped fauré produce the version with both dancers and chorus, in a "choreographic spectacle" designed to grace one of her garden parties in the bois de boulogne.