The Angel with the Trumpet 1950

Marriage to Francis Alt and the prince's suicide

Henrietta Stein, daughter of a Jewish academic, is the mistress of the Habsburg crown prince. Unable to marry him, she instead marries Francis Alt, head of the Alt Viennese piano-manufacturing firm. On the day of her wedding, the prince kills himself in despair.

Raising a family in the Alt household

Francis and Henrietta raise their three children in the Alt family home in Vienna, building a life around their business and household. The depth of Henrietta's feelings remains mostly hidden, known only to their mutual friend Baron Hugo Traun. Their orderly life continues for years despite unspoken tensions.

Affair with Baron Hugo Traun

Twelve years after Henrietta's marriage, Baron Hugo Traun visits Vienna, and Henrietta begins an affair with him. She quietly contemplates leaving Francis Alt for a freer life. The liaison marks a turning point in their marriage and in the family's story.

Discovery and the fatal duel

The affair is interrupted when Henrietta's brother-in-law is dying and her son unexpectedly finds her in the baron's arms. She returns home and confesses to Francis Alt, who has just returned unexpectedly. The following morning, Francis kills the baron in a duel.

World War I begins and the family enlists

Four years after the baron's death, World War I begins and Henrietta's husband and all of her sons enlist. The war sets the stage for hardship and upheaval that will test the family's bonds.

Injury, leadership, and emigration plans

During the war, Henrietta's husband is injured on the battlefield and becomes paralyzed, losing the ability to speak. Meanwhile, son Paul takes command of the Alt piano factory, and daughter Monica leaves Vienna with her boyfriend Gino for America to escape the war's hardships.

Herman's arms trading and maternal intervention

Herman, Henrietta's son, engages in illegal arms trading and incurs heavy losses, threatening the family's stability. To keep him from jail, she gives him her diamonds and eventually evicts him from the house.

Engagement and reconciliation

Paul announces his engagement, bringing a glimmer of hope. Henrietta shares all the news with Francis, who writes her a note apologizing for marrying her, and the couple reconciles.

Nazis, Anschluss, and arrest

Years later, Herman joins the Nazis, and the Anschluss arrives, bringing persecution. The Nazis arrest Henrietta for not flying their flag on the house.

Henrietta's death

Before the Nazis can take her away, Henrietta jumps from a third-storey window to her death. Minutes later, Herman arrives with the news that he arranged for her Jewish ancestry to be erased for safety, but she is already dead.

World War II and destruction

World War II comes to Vienna and the Alt family home is destroyed by bombing, leaving the piano factory in ruins. Paul, his wife, their children and one surviving worker endure the setback together.