The play starts with a lone accompanist playing the piano, with Maria walking on stage shortly after, dressed in expensive, fashionable clothes. Maria is established as a rude and bossy character, demanding footstalls from stage assistants and criticizing the young students as they sing. She forces the student to complete menial singing tasks to 'help' her improve her vocal ability.
Maria begins to reflect on her own experiences as a famous opera singer, and her time at La Scala, an opera house in Milan that is recognized internationally for its talent. As she relives the moments when she was singing, she pictures the lights of the stage turning on as she entered and began to sing her musical ballads. She loves the attention that she receives, with everyone focused on her and the amazing power and control she felt she had.
After punishingly critiquing each of the students that follow, including telling one student that she should never sing again, Maria realizes her harsh ways. She brings one student to tears and reflects on how she was critical of her own self and felt it was necessary to do the same for her students. She finishes with actually useful advice to the singer, before collecting what she has brought to the lesson and walking out.
