In 1885, the small town of Imlingen hosts an opera festival, featuring the renowned singer Maddalena Dall'Orto. She will not only perform at the local opera, but also take on the role of Bach's St. Matthew's Passion at the church. Maddalena is greeted by a welcoming committee, led by the Prince of Imlingen himself. However, it is soon revealed that Maddalena and her companion Rohrmoser are of German origin. Maddalena is actually Magda von Schwartze, a native of Imlingen who had left in anger a few years prior.