The ballet was first presented by Diaghilev's Ballets Russes in Paris at the Théâtre du Châtelet on 13 May 1912. Another ballet, "Thamar", was also on the program. Both ballets were failures. Diaghilev was shocked by the failure of "Thamar". He thought it would be another success like "Schéhérazade". He was not surprised that "Dieu" was a failure. He privately blamed Hahn's music for its failure. The music was dull. He was forced to use it because Hahn had rich friends in Paris. They would have cut their support of the Ballets Russes if the music had been turned down.