Don Cesar, Prince of Urgel

The Prince of Urgel first was seen on this stage in Prague

I have a weakness for opera librettos and summaries. Don't ask me why 'cause I have no idea. Perhaps it stems from opera overtures (orchestral works that introduce or are played before the story gets going) that I find just grand - from Broadway musicals to potboilers like the Overture to the opera Donna Diana.  Here is a sample of the plot of the first act:

Act 1

Don Cesar, Prince of Urgel is resting in Diego's Hall after having won the first prize in a tournament. He muses sadly on Donna Diana's coldness, which all his victories fail to overcome. Perrin the clown takes pity on him, and gives him the advice to return coldness for coldness. Don Cesar promises to try this, though it seems hard to hide his deep love. Floretta, Donna Diana's foster-sister enters to announce the result of the tournament. She flirts with Perrin, to whom she is attached, but he turns a cold shoulder to her and she departs in a rage, though he is head over heels in love with her.
The next scene opens on a brilliant crowd, welcoming Count Sovereign of Barcelona and his daughter Donna Diana. The Count greets them graciously, and making sign to the three gallant Princes, Don Cesar of Urgel, Don Louis of Bearne and Gaston Count de Foix, they advance to receive their laurels on bended knee from the Princess, who crowns Cesar with a golden wreath, while the

If you remember this, you'll remember the Overture

two other princes each win a silver prize. When the ceremony is over, Don Diego turns to his daughter, asking her to choose a husband and give an heir to the country, but Diana declares that love seems like poison to her, and marriage death. Gaston and Louis, nothing daunted, determine to try their luck, and while the father prays to God to soften his daughter's heart, Cesar's courage sinks ever lower. Donna Diana alone is cool and calm, inwardly resolved to keep her hand and heart free. She is envied by her two cousins Fenisa and Laura,....yada yada.

See?

But the music is grand and fun.  I can imagine being in that Prague Opera House, curtain closed...lights dimming and the overture doing its thing.  How romantic a memory can that be?