The opera was eventually successful enough that Lortzing was offered the post of Kapellmeister at the theatre which he held until the revolution of 1848, when he had to return to Leipzig.

Since the Stadinger also has rejected the noble candidate - because his wife was abducted by a Knight - Liebenau has come to work for him as a blacksmith journeyman named Konrad.

Entrusting Georg (Liebenau's Squire posing with his master as a blacksmith) for the arrangements because Stadinger must make a vet call on some sick cows.

Georg sings of the joys of life (Man wird ja einmal nur geboren).

Liebenau appears in his true form as a rich knight after all have gone to bed, yet once more makes love to Marie, and put her to the test (Gern gäb ich Glanz und Reichtum hin).

The confusion becomes even greater when in waddles the Knight Adelhof, who warns Stadinger that Count Liebenau would like to see Konrad married to Marie.

While he remembers his youth and how good life used to be (Auch ich war ein Jüngling mit lockigem Haar).

Stadinger is incensed when he realizes that Count Liebenau and the journeyman Konrad are one and the same person and he has been outsmarted, but he finally blesses the couple and is satisfied with the turn of events.