About the work
A three-act Posse with songs by Johann Nestroy, premiered on 2 May 1846 at Vienna's Leopoldstädter Theater as a benefit for the author. Nestroy drew on a motif from Michel Masson's story "Le grain de sable" and transplanted it to Vienna.
Plot
The scheming secretary Puffmann spreads a lie to cover up his own misconduct, accusing Klara, sister of the carpenter Peter Span, of an improper liaison. Klara loses her fiancé and her good name until the plain but upright Peter Span exposes the slander and restores her honour.
Cultural significance
The play marks a turning point in Nestroy's career, moving from pure farce toward a socially critical Volksstück that defends the honour of ordinary people. It was performed 92 times in Nestroy's lifetime and hailed by critics as the season's most significant dramatic achievement.