In 19th century Vienna, Johann "Schani" Strauss II (Fernand Gravey), son of the great composer, endeavors to realize his own talents. With the support of his girlfriend, Poldi (Luise Rainer), and the unexpected patronage of opera star Carla Donner, Schani gains enough success to marry Poldi, but avoids Carla's high society circles. Unexpectedly thrown together with Carla, however, Schani falls in love with her. When she commissions an opera from him, his career rises as his marriage crumbles.