Morning. Octavian, a handsome youth of seventeen, is taking leave of the Marschallin, whose husband is away hunting. Despite his protest 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 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 wants his relative to choose for him a Knight of the Rose to take a symbol on his behalf to Sophie, daughter of the nouveau riche Herr 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 crowd of visitors. She rejects the overtures of two Italian scandalmongers, is gracious to three poor orphans, and listens to an aria sung by an Italian singer. 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’s mood darkens. Not even Octavian’s return can rouse her from her sad, reflective thoughts. The young man leaves and she remembers that she did not even kiss him goodbye. She sends the servants after him, but he is gone. Accepting the inevitable, 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 in his hand. 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 real bridegroom, who loses no time in letting Sophie know his condescension in courting her. This and his rude manners repel her, and, when the Baron is called into an adjoining room. she flies to Octavian. As they embrace, the two Italian intriguers rush in, loudly calling for the Baron, who they hope will reward them. A quarrel follows and the Baron is forced reluctantly to draw his sword. Octavian lightly wounds him, whereat the Baron raises a terrible outcry, but recovers rapidly when his wound is dressed, and he is given some of Faninal’s best wine.

Determined to rescue Sophie, Octavian, with the help of the two intriguers who are disgusted by the Baron’s niggardly treatment, concocts a plot. A note is handed to the Baron, promising a rendezvous with the chambermaid Mariandel.

Ochs woos the disguised Octavian at a country inn. Figures appear from trapdoors, and Ochs is convinced he sees ghosts. A woman in mourning (one of the intriguers in disguise) rushes in claiming to be his deserted wife. Ochs calls for the police. The confusion mounts as servants, and police, crowd into the room. First Faninal and then the Marschallin appear to witness the Baron’s disgrace.

As Ochs flees, the Marschallin draws Sophie and Octavian together. She leaves them alone together, and they reveal their love for each other. Resigned to the loss of her youthful cavalier, the Marschallin goes off on the arm of von Faninal.