Synopsis

Based on the Ancient Biblical Narrative of Job:

Winter, 1901, Cleveland, Ohio.

A composer, Mr. Levi Goddard, throws a banquet for his former pupils—inviting them to contribute to a new symphonic work. One of his former students, Mr. Adolf Adderson, arrives late to party in antagonizing fashion. Goddard asks him what he will contribute, but Adderson indicates that he has moved on from composing to become Goddard’s full-time critic. Goddard responds with a wager regarding one Henry Stien—a loyal vocalist and choir director who skillfully performs Goddard’s compositions, confident that Adderson will not be able to find fault with him. Adderson contends that Henry only sings for Goddard because Goddard reserves all the best melodies for Henry and his choir to sing. To challenge this theory, Goddard lends his penname to Adderson, telling him to write whatever he wants for Henry and his choir. Adderson attempts to defame Goddard and unravel Henry’s career as a musician by writing miserable, chaotic tunes for him and his choir to perform. Henry, left to wonder why Goddard has turned on him, is faced with the ultimate test of loyalty.