The Three-Cornered Hat (El sombrero de tres picos) is a one-act version of another ballet by MANUEL DE FALLA, El corregidor y la molinera (The Magistrate and the Miller’s Wife) (1917). Sergei Diaghilev suggested the idea to him at the height of the First World War. As the title might suggest, the plot involves a love triangle: in the harmonious life of the miller and his wife, the Magistrate appears and tries to seduce the woman, as a result of which he receives, instead of understanding, public ridicule. The setting is a series of Spanish folkloric dances performed with the technique of classical ballet and linked by scenes of pantomime.

The production is a masterpiece – the choreographer and performer of the part of the miller is Léonide Massine, the costumes and the decor are by Pablo Picasso, the troupe of Diaghilev takes part, the female role is performed by Tamara Karsavina. The premiere took place on January 25^th,  1920 in Paris and on April 27^th  in Monte Carlo. Two orchestral suites were based on music from the ballet.