he sought. The marriage has also raised a few eyebrows among the courtiers as Niki was just a common soldier and the marriage has been a hasty one. Niki also distanced himself from the Prince's favour when the former acknowledged the hasty marriage and raised suggestions for a separate bedroom from the newly-wed Princess. It also appeared to the dismayed Prince that Lieutenant Niki favours his hometown of Vienna rather than the interests of the State. Lieutenant Niki then chooses to leave the palace secretly with his comrade Lieutenant Montschi for a pleasurable evening in the beer garden. Through this troubled backdrop, a scheming Count Lothar, who is envious of Niki hatches a plan of betrayal. Act 2 At the beer garden, Niki meets Franzi, a ladies' orchestra leader and is attracted to her. He quickly wins her heart, which she feels that only a true Wienerin (Viennese) can do. By the scheme of Count Lothar, the Prince and Princess Helene are also present in the garden, with the chambermaid Friederike von Insterburg. The Count also has eyes for Franzi, however, she gives him the cold shoulder. By that instance, Princess Helene and Franzi meet and the Princess wants to know the Wienerin who has won her heart. The main waltz theme of the Walzertraum plays and Niki dances with the Princess Helene. Franzi, who watches the entire scene with a broken heart, realises that Niki is the husband of the Princess. Act 3 Back at the Prunksaal des Schlosses Hall, Princess Helene discovers Niki's unhappiness at the marriage. It transpires that Niki longs for the Viennese customs he grew up with. An immediate wholesale change takes place, including a change of dress code, furniture, and cooking. A new chambermaid schooled in the Viennese customs was also installed to take charge of the domestic matters. Niki, as expected, warms to the new surroundings which comes close to his heart and soon willingly accepts Princess Helene without restrictions although he clearly misses the pretty Franzi. Franzi, however, wisely renounces her affection for Niki. Musical numbers (English adaptation) Overture Act 1 – Festival Hall in Prince Joachim's Castle at Flausenthurn No. 1 – Chorus – "Our hearts are filled with glee and festive loyalty, our Princess weds today!" No. 2 – Friedericke, Sigismund and Chorus – "A maiden whom Cupid had not cajoled, of icy mold, distrait and cold" No. 3 –