t is the summer of 1893. In a small remote clearing among the trees of Illinois lies the small town of Willow Falls. Many of its population of Czech imigrants, as well as a labourer called Abe, work in the sawmill owned by Ma Flannagan. This Irish woman runs the whole town with the assistance of fellow countryman Feeney. Unknown to the residents, she plans to buy their land and build a railroad through it, with the help of wealthy Mrs Gilmore. Flannagan's son Shaun is equally business-minded; that is, until he is distracted by a new arrival...

Karolka has come to America to join her Uncle Marek, whose letters home have painted a somewhat exaggerated portrait of his General Store and of life in the New World. However, always the optimist, she is determined to make the best of her new home.

Mareks' daughter Milli works in the "Blarney Stone Saloon". Every summer she looks forward to the annual visit of Joe Gianello, a travelling salesman whom she loves but sees only once a year. This time, however, Joe arrives full of plans for his new chewing gum venture and talking about marriage.

This is the mix of romantic entanglements and business dealings into which the composer Anton Dvorák finds himself unexpectedly drawn. Exhausted by a concert tour and unrecognised in Willow Falls, he gladly leaves musician Tomashek and rests for a few days playing the piano in the Saloon. He is happy to be among his native people and soon becomes caught up in their lives and inspired by the folk songs he hears all around him.

Dvorák takes it upon himself to help the townspeople in their dealings with the Flannagans and to smooth the course of one or two love affairs. While he's there, he might also find time to write another symphony.

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