Budapest and Vienna shortly before the out-break of the First World War. At a Budapest music hall the young Count Edwin falls in love with the famous café singer Sylva Varescu but a relationship is unthinkable for reasons of social position. Until it is discovered that Edwin's own mother had been on the stage prior to her marriage and Edwin's father must drop his objection to their union. Arguably Kálmán's most successful work. Sung in German with English surtitles.