It was premiered on 10 March 1960 in the Slovak National Theatre,[1] directed by Miloš Wasserbauer and conducted by Tibor Frešo.
The minstrel Záboj loves the Pannonian princess Ľutomíra who schemes to make her father king of Greater Moravia.
Záboj reveals that Svätopluk is secretly concentrating his army along the River Danube and preparing to attack the Franks.
Mojmír is a supporter of the teaching of Cyril and Methodius and wants to raise the people from enslavement, and rid the kingdom of Frankish priests.
The slave Blagota, supported by Ľutomíra, asks for help for her daughter Milena, imprisoned by pagans who want to make her a living sacrifice to their god Perún.
His recovery is assisted by Záboj, whom he invites to sing of Rastislav, and whom he takes into his entourage, against the inclinations of his palatine Dragomir.
Preparations are made for Milena to be sacrificed at the burial of the pagan leader Dragoš, who died as a hero in battle, to become his bride in the after-life.
While the sacrificial preparations continue, a regiment of Mojmír's army arrives, breaks up the pagans, destroys their idols and frees young Milena who gratefully offers herself to Mojmir's service.
Milena, who was witness to the events at the pagan camp, falls at the kings' feet and defends Mojmír; it is Svätopluk the younger who seeks to kill his father.
Taking up three rods he warns his sons against disunity: "Separately they bend easily, but join them together and nobody will break them."