Story is set during the beginnings of Czech National Revival in the last third of 18th century, with a major focus on the period 1787–1791.

At school, his godfather and local regenschori Havránek notices his singing talent, so he invites him to the church choir.

In 1779, Young Věk leaves the small town in East Bohemia for Prague, where he is supposed to sing in a church choir.

At the same time, he is provided with a scholarship for accommodation and food in the Benedictine monastery and studies at the grammar school.

He graduates and plans to study philosophy in order to become a priest but he gradually gets to know the theater and other culture of the big city.