It is morning and Octavian, a handsome youth of seventeen, is taking leave of the Marschallin, whose husband is away on a hunting trip. Despite his affirmation of undying devotion, the Marschallin is aware that the disparity in their ages will soon cause Octavian to look to women younger than herself for love.

They are interrupted by a commotion outside the door. Fearing that her husband has returned, the Marschallin helps Octavian disguise himself in the dress of a chambermaid. Their alarm subsides, however, when Baron Ochs von Lerchenau, a distant relative of the Marschallin, forces his way through the door despite the protests of the servants.

Ochs is much taken with the charms of the chambermaid, Mariandel (the disguised Octavian), and he ogles her all through the transaction of his business with the Marschallin. Ochs asks the Marschallin to select a Knight of the Rose to bring, in his behalf, the symbolic silver rose to Sophie, daughter of the nouveau riche von Faninal, whom he has decided to marry. Certain details of the marriage contract must also be settled, and the Marschallin suggests that he seek the advice of her attorney, who will attend her morning levee.

While a hairdresser fixes the Marschallin’s coiffure for the day, she receives a number of visitors. She is gracious to three poor orphans, rejects the overtures of Annina and Valzacchi (two Italian scandalmongers), and listens to an aria sung by an Italian tenor. As the singer is at the climax of the second verse, Ochs’ muttered arguments with the attorney break into shouts. The resulting confusion sweeps all from the room.

Left alone, the Marschallin becomes pensive, and not even Octavian’s return can rouse her from sad, reflective thoughts. Octavian leaves and she remembers that she did not even kiss him good-by. Realizing that she must accept the inevitable and sacrifice her own happiness for Octavian’s future, the Marschallin gives the silver rose to a page with instructions to take it to Octavian.

Sophie and her duenna excitedly await the appearance of the Rosenkavalier. Octavian enters carrying the silver rose. The formal speeches over, the two young people sit down to talk, and imperceptibly the conversation drifts toward intimacy. They are interrupted by the entrance of the bridegroom who loses no time in letting Sophie know his condescension in courting her. This, and his rude manner, repel her. When the Baron is called into an adjoining room, Sophie runs to Octavian.

Annina and Valzacchi enter calling for the Baron, hoping to be rewarded for the information they reveal concerning Sophie and Octavian. A quarrel follows. Ochs, lightly wounded by Octavian, raises a terrible outcry. Determined to rescue Sophie, Octavian, with the help of the two scandalmongers who are angered by the Baron’s stingy treatment of them, concocts a plot. A note is handed to the Baron in which a rendezvous with the chambermaid, Mariandel, is promised.

Ochs woos the disguised Octavian at a country inn. Figures appear from trapdoors and Ochs is convinced he sees ghosts. A woman in mourning (Annina in disguise) rushes in claiming to be his deserted wife. The confusion mounts as servants and police crowd into the room. Octavian sends for Faninal; Leopold, Ochs’ natural son, sends for the Marschallin to come to his father’s aid. After her arrival, Ochs takes leave, and the Marschallin draws Sophie and Octavian together. She leaves them alone and they reveal their love for each other. Resigned to the loss of her youthful cavalier, the Marschallin departs on the arm of Faninal.