Rhapsody

Louise Durant confronts her haughty father, Nicholas Durant, and announces she plans to flee to Zürich with her lover Paul Bronte. Nicholas responds with scorn, disapproving her defiance and warning of the consequences of crossing him.

They speed off in a convertible toward Zürich, with Bronte joking about the impracticality of the plan since he still must work. In Zürich they carry Louise's bags to a stylish furnished flat where they meet an American lodger, James Guest, who has moved into the attic.

Durant goes to the conservatory to audition; while she waits, she is drawn to the piano student in the room, who turns out to be Guest. Bronte also auditions; the two men vie for Durant's affection, but she remains focused on music.

Bronte is told he will perform with the Zürich Symphony in three weeks. He bluntly tells Durant that she will have little time for him until the concert, signaling that his career comes first. Durant receives a grand piano as a symbol of her own growing musical potential.

Durant and Guest test out the new instrument together, forming a budding friendship built on shared music. The distance between Durant and Bronte widens as his touring plans take precedence over their relationship.

Durant's father visits Zürich and meets Bronte; his disdain casts a shadow over Durant's happiness. He predicts doom for the couple, contrasting Bronte's freedom with Louise's need for security.

Bronte delivers a triumphant solo at the Zürich Symphony, drawing Louise's attention backstage as she hopes for a cue from him. In the glow of his success, he is seen kissing another woman, showing where his priorities truly lie.

Backstage after the performance, Bronte outlines his touring plans, including a Rome finale, and bluntly states that Louise cannot accompany him. He makes clear that his music and career must come first.

The next day Louise discovers Bronte has left for the tour with another woman, shattering her. Her heartbreak drives her to a suicide attempt with pills, but Guest intervenes and saves her life.

Guest becomes her caretaker as she heals, and the elder Durant reconsiders his stance, offering his blessing. Together they decide to leave Zürich for Paris, where Louise will rebuild her life.

In Paris, Louise Durant marries James Guest, hoping to heal her heartbreak by forming a new life with him and leaving Zürich behind.

While living in Paris, Bronte and Louise cross paths and acknowledge that they have not fallen out of love. Their feelings persist despite the new life they lead apart.

Guest's ambitions begin to overpower the relationship as he spends Louise's money on liquor and feels overlooked, while Bronte's memory of Louise continues to haunt them both.

Louise returns to Zürich with Guest to support his musical development, and Guest earns a solo at the Zürich Symphony, testing their fragile arrangement.

The Zürich concert night culminates with a performance that proves a success; Louise arrives, and the two share a tearful, decisive embrace as the music carries them forward and their bond endures.