A Noble Name; or, Dönninghausen

In a richly appointed drawing‑room of a German noble household, young Johanna balances sewing, verses, and a yearning for the stage. Her step‑mother, a sharp‑tongued matriarch, constantly pushes her toward duty, even denying the simple pleasure of watching the theatre. The tension between Johanna’s earnest devotion to her father’s voice and the household’s rigid expectations creates a delicate, almost theatrical dance of obedience and rebellion. As the evening draws near, the clash of longing and obligation sets the tone for the story’s unfolding.

When Johann’s father arranges a visit to the family’s country estate, Dönninghausen, Johanna sees a chance to step beyond the confines of the drawing‑room. The estate promises fresh faces, whispered rumors of courtly intrigue, and the possibility of a love that might bridge the gap between her quiet aspirations and the world’s grander stage. Yet the arrival also threatens to test the Freiherr’s strict principles and the fragile loyalties within the household. Listeners will be drawn into a world where propriety clashes with passion, and where each character’s hidden motives hint at deeper changes ahead.