A Legend of Love is the second ballet by Yuri Grigorovich and was first shown on the 23rd of May 1961 at the Kirov State Academic Theatre of Opera and Ballet (now Mariinsky). Nazim Nikmet wrote the libretto, based on his play of the same name, and the music belongs to composer Arif Melikov. The set and costumes were designed by Simon Virsaladze. A Legend of Love strengthened his creative union with Grigorovich, the beginning of which was marked by the work on The Stone Flower. From then on until his death, he would create the design for all of the choreographer’s productions.

At the premiere, the central parts were given to the same dancers as in The Stone Flower: Irina Kolpakova (Shireen), Alexander Gribov (Ferkhad), Anatoly Gridin (Vizier) and Anatoly Sapogov (Stranger). The part of Mekhmene Banu was danced by Olga Moiseyeva, later Alla Osipenko, the first Mistress of the Copper Mountain in The Stone Flower, was introduced to the part.