[1][2][3] Rodolfo, a young man with the ambitions of an opera singer in the bass register, does not work, gets up at midday and lives on the shoulders of his butchers in-laws, who keep his singing studies with a profiteer teacher.

The teacher, for fear of losing the profit, arranges for Rodolfo to be hired for just one evening in the small part of Doctor Grenvil in La traviata.

Rodolfo, after having created problems in the rehearsals, executes, in general disapproval, the phrase "Consumption does not grant her but a few hours" lowering it by an octave, reaching low C, and furthermore, advancing to the proscenium while the curtain falls.

He closes behind him, sings the phrase: «It's off!», not foreseen since, although present in the score, it is traditionally omitted.

Everything happens: the other performers, the conductor and the theater director are indignant, while family and friends believe that he has been a great success.