A simple sentimental story about two young farmers in love separated by class differences was inspired in the era of romantic literature and opera buffa. In the past two centuries the ballet has undergone many musical changes by different authors, and today is normally presented in one of two different versions.The one from 1903, production derived from Alexander Gorsky’s version to the music of Peter Ludwig Hertel, edited by Riccardo Drigo was based on the choreography of Marius Petipa and Lev Ivanov, from the 19th century. Modern audiences are perhaps most familiar with the production staged by Frederick Ashton for the London Royal Ballet in 1960 set to the music of Louis Joseph Ferdinand Hérold and edited by John Lanchberyin 1828.

The last Split version of La Fille mal gardée was staged by the British choreographer and long-time guest of Croatian theatre scene Norman Dixon in 1988.