ACT I

There is an air of expectancy at King Hildebrand's Castle, because it is the day on which Princess Ida, the daughter of King Gama, is coming to meet Prince Hilarion, to whom she was betrothed twenty years before, when she was one and he was two. Soldiers and Courtiers are discovered scanning the landscape, and debating as to whether the Princess will come.

King Hildebrand

King Hildebrand appears, and asks if Gama has yet been sighted, adding that if he does not come before sunset, bringing the Princess with him, "there's war between King Gama and ourselves." He hates the coming interview with Gama, who is twisted in body and warped in mind, his one pleasure being to wound with his spiteful tongue.

Hilarion

Gama is seen in the distance, but is apparently without the Princess. Hilarion enters and sings in anticipation of his meeting with Ida. He is, however, uneasy because he has heard that she had forsworn the world, and, with a band of women, shut herself up within a lonely country house, to study stern philosophies. His father tells him that a reasonable man would be reconciled to the loss of such a wife, but Hilarion refuses to listen to him.

The sons of King Gama - Guron, Arac and Scynthius - arrive and sing about their bravery. Gama is with them, and introduces himself in a song that reveals his spiteful nature, although he "can't think why" people should say he is a
disagreeable man!

Arac

After an exchange of anything but compliments, Gama informs Hildebrand that he has not brought the Princess, who refuses to leave her "University," having renounced mankind.

King Gama

Gama tells the young men that, if they "humbly beg and humbly sue, most politely," the Princess may deign to look upon them. But Hildebrand retorts that, while they will make the attempt, Gama shall remain as hostage, and"should Hilarion disappear, we will hang you, never fear, 'most politely'." Hilarion and his friends determine to try their fortune, with Gama and his three sons being kept as hostages against their safe return.

ACT II

In the gardens of Castle Adamant, Princess Ida's country home, the graduates of the Women's University are discovered seated at the feet of Lady Psyche, the Professor of Humanities. Their song is interrupted by the entry of Lady Blanche (Professor of Abstract Science), who proceeds to read the "list of punishments," after which Princess Ida approaches. She is welcomed as "Mighty maiden with a mission" and delivers her inaugural address, which takes the form of a tirade against Man, following which the curriculum for the day is reviewed.

Princess Ida

The Princess and the maidens pass on, leaving Lady Blanche to reflection and soliloquy, and it is quite evident that she considers that she would make a far better Principal than the Princess.

Lady Blanche

She goes off, and Hilarion and his two friends are seen climbing the wall. Having successfully negotiated the broken bottles adorning the top, they are highly diverted at having reached the jealously guarded precincts without detection. They find some academic robes left by the maidens, and these make such an effective disguise, that they decide, on seeing the Princess approaching, to pose as three wellborn girls who wish to join the University.

She questions them and they manage to steer sufficiently clear of pitfalls to satisfy her as to their suitability. After she leaves, and amid much merriment, they decide to see the thing through, but their mirth is checked by the entrance of Lady Psyche, who is Florian's sister. There is only one way out and that is to let her into the secret.

This they do, and she informs them that the penalty, if they are discovered, is death. She is, nevertheless, very pleased to see them and tells them more about the objects of the University.

Melissa

Meanwhile, Melissa, another of the girl graduates, enters unobserved and overhears them. She is, however, so fascinated on beholding a man for the first time, that she readily agrees to keep the secret. A closer inspection begins to shake the girls' faith in the principles enunciated by Ida and, in the quintet that follows, the change of view is very pronounced. Melissa is left alone, and is presently joined by Lady Blanche, her mother, who has been attracted by the singing. She remarks how odd it is that of the three new "girls" two should be tenors, and one a baritone. Her suspicions are confirmed when she picks up the reticule dropped by one of them and finds that it contains not only scissors and needles, but . . . cigars! Melissa pleads with Lady Blanche, and, knowing the latter's jealousy of Princess Ida, reminds her that if she furthers Hilarion's scheme, Ida will marry him, and leave Blanche to "rule the roast."

Florian

When Lady Blanche has gone, Melissa sees Florian and urges him to fly. He is about to do so, taking her with him, when the luncheon bell is heard, and the Princess with Hilarion, Cyril, the Staff and Students, appear; also "Daughters of the Plough," bearing luncheon. Having heard that the three new students know the Court of King Hildebrand, the Princess, although affecting indifference, makes sly inquiries as to his son, Hilarion. The disguised youth answers cleverly, but unfortunately Cyril is taking too much wine, and after various rather dangerous interruptions, bursts into the famous "Kissing Song." It is at once discovered that they are men.

The Princess, in panic, runs towards the rustic bridge that crosses the stream flowing through the grounds. Hilarion follows, endeavoring to explain; the Princess misses her footing and falls into the water. Hilarion springs in after her and brings her safely to shore. Ida, however, is furious at the trick which has been played and orders the arrest of the three young men.  Hilarion is bound, and the three are marched off. At this moment Melissa rushes in and tells the Princess that an armed band is outside the Castle walls, demanding admittance in the name of King Hildebrand. As she speaks, the gate is battered down, and soldiers rush in; with them are the three sons of King Gama in chains. Hildebrand follows and tells the Princess that he has come to claim fulfillment of the vow which was made when she was a child, and that if she refuses, he will raze her castle to the ground. To the King's threat the three brothers, Arac, Guron and Scynthius add their entreaties, for Hildebrand has promised them that if he fails in his quest they will most certainly be hanged.

He gives Ida twenty four hours for her answer. The Act closes with the Princess hurling defiance at the invader.

ACT III

The Outer Walls of the Courtyard at Castle Adamant The Princess has decided to fight, and Melissa, Sacharissa and the ladies are assembled, armed with battleaxes. The Princess enters, attended by Blanche and Psyche, and issues her instructions. Unfortunately, her theories break down in practice, and not one of the ladies is willing to perform the duties allotted to her. For example, Sacharissa is required to be the surgeon, but she cannot bear the thought of cutting off real live legs and arms. The fusiliers have not brought their rifles because they "might go off," the band do not feel well and are therefore not present.

Princess Ida

Chloe and all the ladies enter and announce the approach of Ida's father, King Gama, and her brothers. Gama explains that Hildebrand is loath to war with women, and he has therefore sent the Princess's brothers to fight for her against Hilarion and his two friends. Gama tells Ida his punishment and the tortures he has endured, which consisted of having "nothing whatever to grumble at"; to his warped nature this being the worst that could be conceived. Ida is so moved by the tale of woe that she agrees to the contest taking place. Disillusioned, she sings of the failure of her ambitions. The gates are opened and soldiers with the three sons of Gama enter.

Hilarion, Florian, and Cyril are led in by the "Daughters of the Plough." They are still bound and wear their academic robes. Gama finds food for his sarcastic wit in their appearance, and goads them on for the fight. The fight takes place, Hilarion and his friends being victorious. The Princess begs them to stay their hands. She asks Lady Blanche if she can with dignity resign her post, in which case will she (Lady Blanche) take her place? This, of course, is just what Lady Blanche wants, and she takes the opportunity to indulge in a little abstract philosophy.

So the Princess yields to Hilarion, Lady Psyche to Cyril, and Melissa to Florian. Lady Blanche is left, having achieved her heart's desire to be the principal of the "University." She promises the other three that they shall return to their former positions should they ever desire to do so, and the opera ends in general joy.