There is great excitement in the Palazzo Urbino. Much to the delight of the ladies, the Duke, known as Don Juan, is expected. But the men of the city are less pleased by his arrival. Senator Delagua therefore decides to hide his beautiful wife in a convent and introduce the lady's maid to the Duke as his wife. When the Duke's valet devises a ruse of his own, the complications seem endless.

Franz Schubert toils by day as his father’s clerk while secretly composing in Beethoven’s shadow, gaining little recognition until friends persuade publisher Diabelli to host a public performance where he meets and falls for soprano Therese Grob. Abandoning a teaching career, he moves in with artist and poet friends, finds inspiration for the “Erlkönig,” and together with Therese sustains himself by performing his songs.

Don Juan arrives in a Spanish town and immediately becomes embroiled in amorous adventures. While looking for love affairs, he meets the beautiful Donna Anna, the commander's daughter, who mistakes the masked cavalier for Don Octavio because of his height and clothing.

With a certain degree of audacity, Girardi from Graz manages to gain a foothold at the Strampfertheater, a well-attended traditional theater in Vienna. However, his engagement as a new comedian leads to fierce competition with the theater's established star, Felix Schweighofer. Girardi's plans to entertain the audience at a high level are ultimately crowned with success, even though he is long underrated. He is hired by the Theater an der Wien, where, during rehearsals for a new operetta, he even persuades the strict Johann Strauss to compose an additional waltz for him. Girardi distills his special brand of comedy from events beyond the stage, from his own experiences. Confidently, the actor rises to become a favorite with the audience, against all odds. All of Vienna is enthusiastic about Girardi, singing his songs and applauding his shows.