allowing his eye for a pretty girl to carry him away. The best they can manage is to get her promise that it will be decided one way or the other by the morrow, and the ballet rehearsal continues. SCENE 2 In a salon of the elegant palace of the Countess Katharina Anastasia Schwarzenegg, the family has been assembled to discuss Rudi's association with his ballerina. Even Uncle Leopold has been summoned from his home in Pottenstein and he is highly irritated at having to forego his hunting for such a foolishness. Rudi is shown in, and his interrogation begins. His field marshal uncle Franz tells him that he must think of the family name but, to the old Countess's secret admiration, Rudi vigorously defends his right to choose his own wife. SCENE 3 At her lodgings, Fanny is having her portrait painted whilst awaiting her lover. Her landlady, Frau Zorrigruber, expresses her concern over Fanny's predicament and warns her of the dangers of marrying above one's station, but Fanny will not listen to her and when Johann Brunner comes to try to persuade Fanny to sign the contract for Paris, she refuses roundly. Finally Rudi arrives, fresh from the family council, and Fanny presses him to tell her what happened, but he merely renews his ardent wooing. Soon after, Fanny receives a less expected guest, Rudi's Aunt Katharina. She reassures the lovers that she has not come to separate them but only to meet the object of Rudi's love and the cause of his family's concern. She tells Rudi that he has her support, and she assures Fanny that she fully approves of her, but she also wants them to be quite clear about the sacrifices that Rudi will have to make if they are married. He will be obliged to give up his commission. The sound of a band playing the Radetzky March is heard outside. The procession includes Rudi's own regiment of lancers, and Fanny notices how anxious Rudi is that he should not be seen by his commanding officer. When the soldiers have passed, Rudi prepares to hurry back to the barracks and as Fanny bids him farewell, she hands him the portrait of herself that she has had painted. As she looks after him, she knows that she may never see him again. She has realised she cannot allow him to sacrifice his social position for her, and she has already signed the contract for the appearance in Paris. PART 2: VIENNA, 1900 CHARACTERS Charlotte Pichler, an operetta singer, Fanny's daughter Alexander Jensen, an actor Steffi Castelli, a soubrette Johann Brunner (nom in his fifties), an impresario Count Otto Schwarzenegg Fritz von Bodenheim, his friend Baron Liebinger Helene, his wife The theatre director, the author, a journalist, theatre personnel, singers, dancers, servants of Baron Liebinger, party guests, head waiter at the. Hotel Sacher SCENE 4 In the Theater an der Wien, the premiere of the operetta The Marquis of Rivoli is just reaching its conclusion.
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