The Opera Caper. Empress Sophie is desperate. By canceling Franz and Sissi's wedding, she will make a fool of herself in front of the entire European nobility. What should she say to the many guests? State Chancellor Zottornik came up with the idea that saved the day: the empress should simply put the annual opera gala on the originally planned wedding date! Preparations will soon be in full swing. Even Sissi helps where she can to get the program off the ground in time. The gala is a great success. But suddenly a Hungarian flag is unfurled and revolutionary calls are heard. In the ensuing confusion, a fallen candlestick ignites the stage curtain.