Synopsis

ACT 1

A spring day in St. Petersburg. Nannies and governesses supervise the children entrusted to them. The outsider Hermann confesses to Tomski his desperate love for a stranger whom he only idolizes from afar.

Tomski tries to encourage Hermann, but is ridiculed by Chekalinsky and Surin. When Prince Yeletsky appears and introduces his fiancée Lisa, Hermann recognizes his beloved stranger in her. Lisa's grandmother, the old countess and so-called "Queen of Spades", appears at her side. She is both fascinated and repelled by Hermann's appearance - just as he is by hers.

Tomski tells the story behind the old countess's nickname: as a young woman, she caused a sensation in Paris as the "Muscovite Venus". After she had gambled away her entire fortune, the Count of Saint Germain sold her the secret of three infallible cards for the price of a night of love. The countess regained her fortune.

She only confided the secret to her husband and one lover. A ghost has prophesied that a third lover, to whom she will reveal the three cards, will cause her death.

The penniless Hermann, who watches the game of chance with fascination all night long but does not take part himself, is teased by Tschekalinski and Surin: As the old countess's lover, he could afford to take part in the game.

Lisa says goodbye to her friends before the wedding. Polina sings a melancholy romance, then they dance until Lisa's governess forbids these pleasures.

When Lisa is alone, her repressed feelings for Hermann catch up with her. Suddenly he himself stands before her and threatens to commit suicide out of unrequited love. The old countess appears and Hermann has to go into hiding. When Lisa and Hermann are alone again, she confesses her love for him.

ACT 2

The play The Sincerity of the Shepherdess is performed as part of Lisa's engagement celebrations with Prince Yeletsky.

Unlike the shepherdess shown, Lisa has not chosen her love for a have-not, but a life of wealth.

Hermann's comrades frighten, unsettle and mock him with continued allusions to the old countess.

Lisa manages to elude Prince Yeletsky and slips Hermann a key which leads him through the countess's bedroom to her room. He announces his visit for the same night.

Hermann's imagination falls more and more under the spell of the "Muscovite Venus". He surprises and harasses the old countess, in whose mind memories of her glory days at the French court mingle with the presence of Hermann, who is passionately courting her secret. She dies in Hermann's arms without having revealed the secret. Lisa, who rushes over, realizes that Hermann was less interested in her than in the secret of the three cards.

ACT 3

Hermann, whose hopes have been dashed by the death of the countess, is haunted by feverish fantasies.

At its peak, the ghost of the old countess appears, tells him to marry Lisa and teaches him the three infallible cards three, seven and ace.

Lisa has given Hermann an ultimatum: If he does not come to her by midnight, she will consider him her grandmother's murderer.

Hermann appears shortly after midnight to take her to the gambling parlor. She recognizes his obsession and takes her own life.

Hermann surprises the players with his desire to take part. He bets an exorbitant sum and wins with the three, only to double his winnings with the seven in the next round. No one wants to compete against him. Then Prince Yeletsky appears, who has come to take revenge on Hermann for Lisa's loss. Hermann loses because he bets on the queen pique instead of the ace.