Emma Livry
in Herculanum

The ballerina Emma Livry is seen here as she appeared in the divertissment inserted into Act III of Félicien David's grand opera Herculanum. First performed at the Théâtre Impérial de l’Opéra in Paris on 4 March 1859, its lavish sets and spectacular stage effects - which included earthquakes and the eruption of Vesuvius - made the work an instant success.