Ballaadi (1944)

At the request of the author Zacharias Topelius, Fredrik Pacius begins composing an opera, inspired by a summer walk in Backas, Espoo. Pacius becomes infatuated with Ebba Duncker, who sings by the lake like a nightingale from a young mermaid. Pacius' infatuation, despite being married, causes a scandal in Helsinki's high society circles.