Note: Someone once commented that it was very difficult to write a coherent summary of the story of the film Smiles of a Summer Night. The same can certainly be said of the musical based on it, A Little Night Music. There are many scenes, and often two or more are shown at once with the action switching back and forth between them, one scene freezing while another is active. The story concerns several couples who are mismatched at the beginning and finally get sorted out. In addition, there is a group of five people (the Quintet) who are never really identified. They act as a Greek chorus and make comments which sometimes have little to do with the story. All this makes it hard to write a simple sequential account of the action.

The primary songs for each scene are listed with their time signatures and dance type. For more on the music see the Notes.

OVERTURE AND PROLOGUE
Song: Night Waltz
Mr. Lindquist, a member of the Quintet enters, sits down at the piano, strikes a single note and starts to sing. He is joined by Mrs. Nordstrom who also plays a single note. She is followed by Mrs. Anderssen, Mr. Erlanson and Mrs. Segstrom. Their song becomes a series of questions about remembered romantic encounters and packing and unpacking luggage. They then call for the curtain to rise and start to waltz. We now see the main characters waltzing but constantly changing partners while the quintet hums an accompaniment. The young girl Fredrika wanders among the dancers and Madame Armfeldt is wheeled in by her butler Frid. She is playing cards.

When Fredrika comments that she could win if she cheated, her grandmother says solitaire is the only thing in life that demands absolute honesty. She has numbered kings among her lovers so she should know. When the girl then asks when the summer night will smile, she is told that its smiles at the follies of people three times: once for the young who know nothing, once for adults who know too little and finally, at the end, for the old who know too much.

ACT I, Scene 1: The bedroom and the parlor of the Egerman house.
Songs: Now (6,8), Later (3/2 sarabande), Soon (3/4 waltz) and The Glamorous Life (3/4 Mazurka)
The 18 year old Anne Egerman is in the bedroom playing with her hair while, in the parlor, her solemn 19 year old stepson Henrik, a seminary student, has been reading a book by Luther. He is now playing the cello, and Anne goes into the parlor and asks him why he plays "gloomy" music and reads "gloomy"books". His response: "to learn the stratagems of the Enemy (i.e. Satan). He is obviously attracted to her and suggests they go for a walk and talk, but she puts him off with "Later"; she hears her husband coming. When Fredrik appears he learns Henrik has passed his exams with flying colors, but he is preoccupies and and tells his son they must talk about it "Later".

He tells Anne he has tickets for the theatre that evening, and the excited girl starts to think about what she should wear. She goes into the bedroom and, when Henrik wonders why everyone laughs at him his father merely says youth can be ridiculous, then follows Anne. There she chatters away while he wonders how he can seduce her in Now. She pays no attention to him, thinking of other things. He exits briefly, returns in his underwear and decides to take a nap. The action freezes and changes to the parlor.

Henrik is reading when Petra, the maid, comes in and starts to tease him. He tries to stop her, but he is attracted. When he tries to kiss her, she puts him off with "Later" and leaves. Back in the bedroom Anne stands by the sleeping Fredrik and sings Soon. From the parlor we hear the sound of Henrik playing the cello and singing Later. Then they sing together, he in the parlor and Anne in the bedroom. Fredrik wakes up and joins them with his song Now.

The lights go down, the two rooms disappear, and we are back in Madame Armfeldt's villa; Fredrika is at the piano playing scales. She sings Ordinary mothers lead ordinary lives and reads a letter from her mother (Desirée) who is shown to one side singing its words: "Darling, I miss you a lot". The Quintet appears and sings of the traveling life. Then Madame Armfeldt is shown singing Ordinary daughters while reading a letter from her daughter (again sung by Desirée). (Mother forgive the delay) Once more the Quintet joins in. (The Glamorous Life)

Scene 2: The stage of the local theatre.
Song: Remember (3/4, waltz)
There are two theatre boxes in front of the show curtain. One is already occupied by Mr. Lindquist, Mrs. Nordstrom and Mr. Erlanson. Fredrik and Anne appear. As they enter the other the other box, she asks him about Desirée but he puts her off. The show curtain opens and Mrs. Segstrom and Mrs. Andersson playing two ladies discuss the "Countess" and her legendary affairs. The Countess, played by Desirée, enters to great applause sees Fredrik in the audience, and does a double take. The action freezes as the three Quintest members leave the other box and sing Remember. When they finish, the action resumes. Anne has noticed Desirée's reaction to seeing Fredrik and, becoming jealous, insists on leaving.

Scene 3: The Egermans' house.
Henrik has just unsuccessfully attempted to seduce Petra. Anne enters crying and runs into the bedroom followed by Fredrik. She remembers how, when she was a little girl, he was her Uncle Fredrik and now he is her husband. He decides to go out for a while, and the quintet resumes Remember

Scene 4: Desirée's home.
Songs: You Must Meet My Wife (3/4) waltz, Liaisons 3/2 sarabande
Fredrik and Desirée speak of the fourteen years since they have seen each other and his marriage, their past together, and her present liaison with a handsome, married dragoon (Carl-Magnus). He sees a picture of Fredrika, then goes on to describe Anne (You must meet my wife). Desirée comments but does not pay much attention until she realizes Anne is still a virgin after eleven months of marriage. She then takes him off to the bedroom to "do a favor for an old friend". The scene changes to Madame Armfeldt who recalls her own previous affairs (Liaisons). Back at Desirée's we hear Carl-Magnus offstage. Fredrik and Desirée, clad in robes enter and decide to let the dragoon in and bluff their way through the encounter. Ignoring Fredrik, Carl-Magnus says he has a twenty hour leave and starts to disrobe, then realizes what Fredrik is wearing. With much aplomb, Fredrik presents a ridiculous story. He is Madame Armfeldt's lawyer and has come to have Desirée sign some papers relating to a law suit. He tripped over the hip-bath in her room and put on this robe while waiting for his own clothes to dry. While Desirée exits to get the "wet clothes", Carl-Magnus boasts of his success in duels as a not-so-subtle threat. Desirée returns with the clothes which she has dipped in the hip-bath. Since Fredrik can not wear them yet, Carl-Magnus suggests he wear one of his nightgowns and return the robe. Fredrik goes into the bedroom, returns wearing the nightgown, and gives Carl-Magnus the robe. He takes his wet clothes and leaves. Carl-Magnus sings of his suspicions (She wouldn't).

Scene 5: The Malcolm's house, Later that night.
Song: In Praise of Women (3/4 polonaise
Charlotte, who is perfectly aware of her husband's infidelity, asks Carl-Magnus how Desirée is. He tells how she had a visitor who was wearing his nightshirt. Then asks if her sister's school friend hadn't married a Fredrik Egerman? He wonders where the papers Desirée had supposedly signed were (The papers). He needs to sleep so why doesn't she visit her sister's school friend She takes the hint that she should tell Anne about her husband's infidelity and, after she leaves, he muses on the usefulness of women and wonders how Fredrik could have slipped and fallen into the hip-bath. (In Praise of Women)

Scene 6: The Egerman's.
Song: Every day a little death (6/8)
While Petra is brushing Anne's hair they talk about making love. The doorbell rings and Charlotte is ushered in. She has come to tell Anne about Fredrik and Desirée. Soon both women are weeping, Charlotte sings Every Day a Little Death, and Anne soon joins in. As they finish, Henrik enters and is introduced to Charlotte who leaves immediately. As Henrik tries to console his stepmother (who pretends that she is crying because of news about and old school friend), we hear the voice of Madame Armfeldt.

Scene 7: The Armfeldt Terrace.
Song: A Weekend in the Country (6/8 gigue)
Madame Armfeldt is playing cards and giving advice to Fredrika who is playing scales on the piano. "Never marry a Scandinavian; they are all insane because in summer the sun never sets and in winter it never rises." Desirée is heard calling and Fredrika runs to meet her. The actress has come to ask her mother to invite the Egermans to visit for a weekend. (It is the beginning of her plan to win Fredrik back.) Desirée and Fredrika freeze while the action changes to the Egerman house where Petra is delivering the invitation for the weekend to Anne who reacts in dismay when she realizes it is from her husband's ex-lover..

During the rest of the scene, the action moves between the different venues to the background of the song A Weekend in the Country. Back at Madame Armfeldt's, Desirée asks her daughter how she would like to have their own home and a man to be her father. Fredrika realizes she means Fredrik. Back at the Egerman's, Fredrik comes in and is told of the invitation. While he and Petra think a weekend in the country sounds ideal, Anne reacts negatively, so he says they won't go. Later Anne tells Charlotte of the invitation and says they will refuse, but Charlotte urges her to accept, wear her hair down and dress in white. Desirée will seem very old in contrast. Anne enthusiastically agrees. Meanwhile Carl-Magnus wants to crash the party but Charlotte says no. All the venues merge as everyone reacts to the idea of a weekend in the country, joined at the end by the Quintet.

ENTR'ACTE
The Quintet appears and sings about the twilight atmosphere as the clock advances to midnight. The Sun Sets Low

ACT II Scene 1: The Armfeldt lawn terrace and lawn.
Song: The Sun Won't Set (3/4 waltz)
Frid is serving champagne while Fredrika is playing croquet with Malla, Desirée's maid. Madame Armfeldt's maid, Osa, passes a tray of cookies. Desirée starts to play croque, and the Quintet complains The Sun Won't Set. To the surprise of all, the sound of a car horn is heard from offstage; it is against etiquette for guests to arrive before 5:15! They hurry to gather up the furniture, croquet set, etc. and take everything into the house. Charlotte and Carl-Magnus enter, surprised to see no one. Fredrik, Anne, Henrik and Petra also arrive, and the couples greet each other. They all enter the house and are greeted by Desirée, (warmly for the Egermans and coldly for the Malcolms). Carl-Magnus explains they were supposed to go to a nearby house but there is plague there so they are throwing themselves on the Armfeldt's mercy. It is an uncomfortable time for all, but arrangements are made. Fredrik and Carl-Magnus try to get Desirée alone, but she escapes leaving Fredrika to deal with the situation.

Scene 2. The lawn.
Anne and Charlotte are strolling together. Anne is distraught and wants to go home, but Charlotte has a plan: she will throw herself at Fredrik which will make Carl-Magnus so jealous that he will swear eternal fidelity to his wife and forget about Desirée. The men appear, and Charlotte goes into action. In another part of the garden, Fredrika confesses to Henrik that she is not legitimate. (By now, the audience realizes she is Fredrik's daughter). In return he tells her that, although he is preparing for the ministry, he is desperately in love with Anne, his stepmother.

Scene 3 The terrace.
Song: It Would Have Been Wonderful (3/4)
Fredrik regrets having gone to the theatre. If he had not, he would not have ended up in the country, and he and Anne would have gone on as usual. Furthermore, if Desirée had no longer been so attractive he would have resisted her. Carl-Magnus joins him in the same sentiments (It Would Have Been Wonderful). Fredrika enters and announces her mother would like to see Carl-Magnus inside. It is a ruse; after he leaves, Desirée appears. Fredrik hears Fredrika's name and realizes she is his daughter. They are interrupted by Carl-Magnus and hastily agree to see each other later in her room. Fredrik hides; Carl-Magnus appears, and Desirée tells him Fredrik is there to see her mother. Hoping it is the truth and, the dragoon asks where her bedroom is. She pretends to be shocked! — With his wife here! Frid announces dinner, Fredrik emerges from hiding and the three go off to dinner.

Scene 4 The dining room.
Song: Perpetual Anticipation (3/8)
As the guests come on, the women of the Quintet start to sing Perpetual anticipation is good for the soul. The guests are soon all seated facing upstage, i.e. with their backs to the audience. Fredrika is at the piano. Desirée congratulates Fredrik on a case he has just won. Anne does not know about it, her husband doesn't tell her much. Desirée comments that when she was Anne's age she wasn't interested in anything but balls, gossip etc. In turn Charlotte responds to that put-down with a rather rude remark about Desirée's "remote youth". When Fredrik remarks that a man's youth may be as remote as a dinosaur's but a woman's accompanies her through the years. Charlotte asks Anne where she found such an adorable man. (The two have started the plan to make Carl-Magnus jealous so he will come back to her.)

Charlotte continues by telling Henrik his father is irresistible, and she plans to monopolize him for the weekend. Anne agrees with that unless Desirée has other plans for him. Desirée coolly responds that she had thought to seduce him herself unless he would find the Countess less exhausting. Charlotte says she wouldn't guarantee that. A shocked Carl-Magnus rebukes her, but she continues her advances to Fredrik. Things continue in this vane becoming more and more heated. Finally Madame Armfeldt interrupts to make a toast "To life!" and adds "To ... Death". The disguised insults continue until Henrik leaps to his feet smashing his glass on the table and condemning such talk in front of Anne. He then attacks Desirée; how can someone who plays Ibsen and other great authors not learn from them? He runs from the room. Anne starts to follow, but Fredrik orders her to sit down and she meekly obeys.

Scene 5: The Garden.
Henrik runs on complaining to Fredrika of the behavior of the others. Anne calls him from offstage, and he runs away. Anne runs on; both girls are worried about Henrik and, to her surprise, Fredrika tells Anne Henrik is in love with her. Amazed the two go off to look for him. In another part of the garden Frid and Petra are together with food and a bottle of wine. They start to kiss but are interrupted by the two girls looking for Henrik. Whey disappear, the servants return to their kiss.

Scene 6: Desirée's bedroom.
Song: Send in the Clowns (12/8)
Desirée is sitting on the bed when Fredrik appears and reports. "The Malcolms "Are glowering at each other and the children have disappeared". They laugh together and reflect on their situation. Is there any way of turning back time? Finally Desirée starts to sing Send in the Clowns and, regretfully, he leaves her alone.

Scene 7: The garden.
Song: I Shall Marry the Miller's Son (3/4)
Henrik comes on carrying a rope. When he hears Anne and Fredrika, he hides behind a tree. The girls run off again; "this is such fun after that stodgy old dinner". Henrik reappears and tries to hang himself but fails. Anne discovers him with the noose still around his neck. She throws herself into his arms, they kiss, and he confesses he loves her. She realizes she loves him, not Fredrik, and they fall to the ground together. The scene shifts to Petra and Frid; he is asleep. She sings I shall marry the miller's son in which she imagines marrying a miller's son, or a business man, or the Prince of Wales.

Scene 8: The garden, Desirée's room and parlor.
Charlotte is seated on a bench when Fredrik appears looking for Anne. She apologizes for her behavior at dinner but he says he found it helped his morale. She confesses it was all a charade to make her husband Carl-Magnus jealous. Meanwhile Anne and Henrik go down the side of the stage carrying suitcases. They are going off together. They don't see Fredrik and Charlotte, but Fredrik sees them, and his world crumbles.

The lights come on in Desirée's bedroom. Carl-Magnus is with her wanting to make love but she stops him. As he is starting to disrobe. He looks out the window and seeing his wife with Fredrik, pulls his clothes back on and runs out looking for his dueling pistols.

The lights come up on Madame Armfeldt who is asking Fredrika to tell her "what it is all for". They talk about life and Fredrika falls asleep at her grandmother's knee.

Carl-Magnus runs from the house, interrupting Fredrik and his wife and challenges Fredrik to a duel. Charlotte breaks into a radiant smile: her plan has worked. The men go off to play Russian Roulette. The Quintet starts A Weekend in the Country, a gunshot is heard, and Desirée runs out. Soon Carl-Magnus comes carrying Fredrik whom he has nicked in the ear. He drops Fredrik on the ground, and the Malcolms reconcile and go into the house. Desirée rouses Fredrik, and they reprise Send in the Clowns. The clowns are finally here as they make plans for the future.

In the house Fredrika suggests her grandmother go to bed but the old lady wants to wait. The night has already smiled twice, once for the young, Henrik and Anne, once for the foolish, Desirée and Fredrik and Charlotte and Carl-Magnus, now it is time for the last smile. She dies, the opening waltz starts up, and the couples start to dance on. This time they all stay with the same, right partners. Mr. Lindquist comes to the piano and hits one key. The play is over.

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Revised December 2009
Please credit Lyric Opera San Diego when using this material.