Sontheim, born in 1820, is the son of a poor tradesman. He hears his first opera melodies in Jebenhausen's synagogue - a gifted cantor like Moses Raff knows how to please the pious audience. Heinrich, one of the boys who sing along to "assist" the cantor, causes a sensation whenever he appears "on stage".

Soon he embarks on a remarkable career at the Stuttgart opera house. The Jewish village is proud of its famous son - although its pride is somewhat muted by the undeniable fact that Sontheim, who is married to a Christian, has converted. When his wife dies, however, he repents and returns to Judaism. In 1847 his "teshuva" or return is formalized in Jebenhausen's synagogue, and once again his celebrated voice is heard singing the old melodies.

Later on Sontheim returns to the village of his childhood years to spend the summer months in his country-house.