Henri Caïn

b. Paris, 11 October 1857;
d. 21 November 1937

Henri Caïn was a French dramatist, opera, and ballet librettist. He wrote over forty libretti from 1893 to his death, for many of the most prominent composers of the Parisian Belle Epoque, which was a period of prosperity, technological innovation, and artistic expression that took place in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. He collaborated extensively with Jules Massenet on one ballet and six operas including Don Quichotte and Cendrillon.

Caïn was born in Paris, the son of the sculptor Auguste Caïn and brother of the painter Georges Caïn. He studied painting in the studios of Jean-Paul Laurens and Édouard Detaille. He was married to the soprano Julia Guiraudon, who performed the title role in the premiere of Cendrillon.

Despite his career as a writer, Caïn remained passionate about the visual arts for his entire life. He was a great admirer of several major contemporary painters and sculptors such as Antonio de La Gandara and Jean Carriès.