A prologue states the incident depicted is said to have occurred near Leipzig over 100 years earlier. The Baron and Herr Mendelssohn overhear Mendelssohn's violin concerto being played by a peasant while his fiancée, Hilda, is dancing around. Invited to play at the Baron's house, the peasant is offered a chance to study at the Conservatory in Leipzig, but he refuses. Hilda explains he refused because they were to be married, so the Baron tells her she will go with him and Herr Mendelssohn will write their wedding march.