 This short opera, originally running only about 20 minutes, was conceived as the first of a series of radio operas by Olin Downes, the music critic of "The New York Times", and Charles McArthur, a businessman.The radio idea eventually fell through for lack of a sponsor, although Maurice Abravanel conducted an audition recording that was never broadcast.Hans Heinsheimer, the director of publications at Schirmer, approached Weill with a request for a school opera like "Der Jasager" for production by the opera department of Indiana University School of Music.