Typically, the foliage on acaulescent forms of hellebores and hybrids intermediate between caulescent and acaulescent forms (like x nigercors) are removed or tidied up after the bloom cycle or when the plant is pushing new growth stems. If there are obviously dead leaves or those that are damaged or diseased, you can be selective in the process and remove them now. But generally, cutting back all the foliage at once is not recommended.

With those you cut the whole stem off near the ground, at the appropriate time, rather than snipping out individual leaves at their point of attachment.

Okay, thanks for the info. I actually ended up getting carried away and cutting quite a lot away once I got started. The plant looks much better with the flowers not being buried in the half-dead scruff. If it dies I won't be too upset but I'm going to give it a chance.