In 1840 Leipzig, Germany, after four years of being refused the hand of Friedrich Wieck's daughter, Robert Schumann was finally forced to take legal steps--required by Saxony law -- in order to win a court dispensation giving him permission to marry his beloved virtuosa interpreter of his music, Clara Wieck. In the ensuing courtroom battle, Clara's two male counterparts --her father and her lover -- project their contrasting visions for Clara upon her being.