"Clear the Track!" A Story of To-day

The opening scene places listeners on the sun‑drenched Riviera, where Nice is alive with its annual Feast of Flowers. Palms sway above a carpet of camellias in every hue, and the Corso erupts in a riot of blossom‑filled carriages, music, and cheering crowds. The scent of violets mingles with the sea breeze, while distant Alpine peaks linger in a golden mist. Amid this celebration a small party of German‑speaking gentlemen watches from a hotel terrace, their curiosity sparked by the spectacle.

The trio—von Stettin, the eager young Wittenau, and a more seasoned companion—debate whether to linger or seek quieter surroundings. As a richly adorned carriage passes, they note a radiant lady named Cecilia, her silk dress fluttering like spring itself, and a dashing officer who seems intent on guarding the flowing tide of flowers. Their light banter hints at deeper motives, and the listener senses the beginnings of rivalries and perhaps a secret that will surface as the festivities continue.