 Beginning in August 1893, Maeterlinck collaborated with Claude Debussy on the opera "Pelléas et Mélisande", which was based on Maeterlinck's play of the same name.Leblanc was originally slated to perform the role of Mélisande in the opera's 1902 premiere, but she was replaced by Mary Garden.This angered Maeterlinck, who threatened legal action and physical violence against Debussy for ousting his lover from the part.