Villagers have taken shelter from advancing soldiers in a local bar. Several women pray for protection; the local aristocrat, the Marquise of Birkenfield, is beside herself with terror. Her steward, Hortensius, pleads with her to remain calm, and a villager soon announces that the soldiers are retreating.
Sulpice, a sergeant with the liberating American forces, appears, followed shortly by Marie, an orphan who has been unofficially adopted by the regiment. The regiment found Marie as an infant and raised her with loving care. She considers herself a soldier and regards each man in the regiment as a father.
Sulpice is questioning Marie about a Frenchman she has been seen with, when suddenly the young man himself – Tonio – is brought in for questioning by their comrades, who suspect him of being a spy. When Marie tells them how Tonio saved her from falling over a precipice, the men drink a toast to him and Marie sings the regimental song. The men hear a drum roll summoning them and take Tonio with them, but he gives them the slip and returns to Marie. Tonio and Marie declare their love for each other and are locked in an embrace when Sulpice returns. Hortensius and the Marquise come in as the lovers leave, and the Marquise tells Sulpice that her late sister bore a child and she must take Marie away and prepare her for her rightful station in life. When Marie comes in, she is told she will soon have to go with her newly discovered aunt. The soldiers enter with a new recruit – Tonio, who has joined the regiment to be near Marie. Sadly, Marie announces she must leave. The Marquise sweeps her away, leaving the men bereft; Tonio promises to follow.
In a salon in her château, the Marquise receives Sulpice, asking him to support the marriage she has arranged for Marie to the Duke of Krackenthorp. When Marie comes in, the Marquise sits at the piano and asks her to sing an air the girl has learned as part of her intensive coaching in ladylike behavior. After a bit of the florid song, Sulpice whispers some of their catchy regimental tune. Marie launches into the latter, with the Marquise and Sulpice singing along. Horrified at being taken in by their tomfoolery, the Marquise sweeps out, Sulpice following her. Marie is miserable contemplating her prospective marriage when all the soldiers - including her beloved Tonio – turn up. The Marquise returns and wants to know the young man’s identity. She remains unmoved as Tonio tells her of his love for Marie, curtly announcing that Marie will soon be married to another. When Marie and Tonio leave, the Marquise confides to Sulpice that Marie is actually her daughter. Unexpectedly, the Duchess of Krackenthorp, mother of the groom, appears at the door with the other wedding guests, asking to meet Marie. The tearful girl now agrees to marry, because Sulpice has told her the Marquise’s secret. But the soldiers, led by Tonio, burst into the room to save her from the unwanted marriage. They tell the true story of Marie’s rough-and-ready upbringing, but the guests have seen Marie’s charm for themselves and are not dismayed by her past. Marie is still ready to sign the marriage contract, but the Marquise suddenly relents and tells her to marry the man she loves. All except the outraged Duchess celebrate friendship, happiness and love.
Reprinted courtesy of Houston Grand Opera