The work was performed first at the Theater an der Wien, Vienna, on 6 December 1882. It was a success and allowed Millöcker to retire from conducting. Johann Strauss II rejected the libretto in favor of A Night in Venice, but Millöcker's work turned out to be an enduringly popular operetta, with over 5,000 productions. The piece played at the Thalia Theatre in New York City in 1883 and then in English at the Casino Theatre in 1883. It was revived in New York at least three times: in 1898 at the American Theatre, in 1899 at the American Theatre, and in 1913 at the Casino Theatre. It was also performed in London at the Alhambra Theatre in 1884, in a four-act version. The operetta has been filmed at least four times – once in English, and once as a silent film. It has also been performed on German television. Recent productions in English include Ohio Light Opera, and Light Opera Works.
Colonel Ollendorf seeks revenge against Laura Nowalska, who rebuffed him with her fan, offended by his advances. Laura's mother declares that only a Pole and nobleman can be her son-in-law. He releases a seemingly penniless student and his friend to pose as a millionnaire and his aide, to entice the bankrupt but venerable Nowalska family. Laura agrees to marry Symon, and Janicki falls in love with Laura's sister.
Act 2
The money that the colonel supplied to Symon is just about gone and he is no longer able to keep up the appearance of nobility. He and Laura have developed genuine feelings for each other and he struggles with the decision to tell her the truth. He writes a letter confessing the ruse. The colonel senses that the letter will end the plot, and convinces Laura's mother not to open it. When the wedding ceremony is over, the colonel reveals the truth about Symon, who is subsequently driven from the palace.
Act 3
Symon is contemplating suicide, when his friend Janicki reveals that he is a Polish officer and is part of a group of patriots who are planning to capture the citadel and to reinstate King Stanislaus. The Governor-General discovers that Janicki knows the whereabouts of the Polish grand duke and bribes him with 200,000 thalers to reveal his location to the Austrians. Janicki asks Symon to impersonate the grand duke until the money for his capture can be paid. The plot succeeds. In return, he is knighted by King Stanislaus and accepted by his wife and mother-in-law.
Musical numbers
;Act 1
Ach unsre Lieben sperrte man ein: Introduction – Chorus
Und da soll man noch galant sein – Ach ich hab' sie ja nur auf die Schulter geküßt: Ollendorf
Die Welt hat das genialste Streben: Entrance Duet – Symon – Jan – Chorus
O Juchheissa, hurra! Die Messe beginnt: Chorus & Ensemble
Einkäufe machen sollten wir eigentlich: Entrance Trio – Laura – Bronislawa – Palmatica
Das ist der Fürst Wybicki
Bravo! Bravo! Es geht ganz famos
Ich knüpfte manche zarte Bande: Ensemble & Song – Ollendorf – Laura – Bronislawa – Symon – Jan – Palmatica – Chorus
Du bist die Seine? – Höchste Lust und tiefstes Leid – Bei solchem Feste: Finale Act I – Palmatica – Laura – Symon – Bronislawa – Ollendorf – Jan – Enterich – Chorus
;Act 2
O Einen Mann hat sie gefunden: Trio – Palmatica – Bronislawa – Laura
O Durch diesen Kuß sei unser Bund geweiht!: Duet – Jan – Bronislawa
Soll ich reden, darf ich schweigen? – Ich setz' den Fall: Duet – Symon – Laura
Glückliche Braut! Dir strahlet hell das Leben: Ensemble – Symon – Ollendorf – Palmatica – Jan – Laura – Chorus
Mit Geld und guten Worten: Couplet – Ollendorf
Klinget, Feierglocken, klinget!
Trinkt uns zu, trinkt uns zu
Tempo di Mazur
Heidahi, heidaha! Sind wer och nich invidiert...
Ach, ich hab' sie ja nur auf die Schulter geküßt: Finale Act II – Ollendorf – Symon – Enterich – Laura – Bronislawa – Palmatica – Jan – Chorus
;Act 3
Lumpen, Bagage, Bettelstudent!
Der Fürst soll nur ein Bettler sein: Introduction – Bronislawa – Chorus
Ich hab' kein Geld, bin vogelfrei: Couplet – Symon
Still, man kommt! – Dort steht der Patron!
Die halbe Stunde ist vorbei
Jetzt lach' ich jeglicher Gefahr: Ensemble – Ollendorf – Palmatica – Symon – Jan – Laura – Bronislawa – Chorus
Befreit das Land! Geknüpft das Band!: Finale Act III – Symon – Laura – Bronislawa – Jan – Palmatica – Chorus
