A caretaker at a music academy is solving most problems for the young musicians, however not only the most appropriate way. But down inside he really has a dream of his own, which goes far beyond being the caretaker.

The play opens in the study at Hakon Werle's house during a dinner party for the return of Werle's son, Gregers, from the Hoidal mines. Gregers has not come home for fifteen years. Old Ekdal appears before two servants, begging to be let into the office. Ekdal was an army officer and partner to Werle until a forestry scandal sent him to prison over some scandal. He now works as one of Werle's copyists.