El estreno de una artista

[2] It is an adaptation of an 1824 French opéra-comique Le concert à la cour by Eugène Scribe and Mélesville, music for which was written by Daniel Auber.

The opening scene presents Astucio, the musical director of the court, conducting an orchestra consisting of nobles, who study music to gain the Grand Duke's favour; they perform bad and finish making a quarrel, but Astucio succeeds to calm them (No.

But he is in love with another one, a Spanish singer met in Milan (Sofía), with whom he had to separate in order to find a post somewhere else in Italy.

Another female singer has come from Milan, and Astucio is ordered by the Grand Duke to form a committee examining her talent.

Enrique has just spoken to Astucio, who paid to the crowd so that they hiss Sofía off even before she opens her mouth.

The final musical scene begins with the courtiers assembling; soon, after an introductory word by Astucio to the orchestra, enter the Grand Duke and the young artists, who recognize their mysterious protector; Sofía begins to sing the same Spanish aria, but the mess in the orchestra increases instantly, and finally she has to stop; the audience is about to leave, but Enrique reveals Astucio's plan, takes the baton himself and leads the musicians accompanying a new fine song of Sofía (No.

Astucio can't refuse his guilt anymore and falls out of the Grand Duke's favour, who asks Sofía to become Enrique's spose and provide both with a post.