You’re listening to the Opening Overture of Franz Lehar’s 1910 operetta Der Graf von Luxemburg. We are often our own harshest critics; before it’s debut, Lehar called the piece ‘Sloppy work, completely useless.’ Despite his opinion, the play ran for 299 straight performances in its original run. The story tells of a bankrupt playboy count, approached by a Russian prince with a…semi-indecent proposal. He’ll pay the Count’s debts if the Count agrees to marry the object of his affection.

Alas, she is but a lowly opera singer, and beneath his marrying station.

The marriage would be a sham, (but, really, what marriage isn’t? Sorry…happy anniversary, honey.)  Anyway, the move would make her royalty, a divorce would make her single, and the Prince would make her his wife.

How could it possibly go wrong? Find out right here.