Milan. Seedy promoter Otis B. Driftwood (Groucho Marx) guarantees patroness (Margaret Dumont) a position in high society if she bankrolls an opera. The plan hinges on signing egotistical tenor Rodolfo Lassparri (Walter Woolf King), but Driftwood meets his match in talent manager Fiorello (Chico Marx), who represents "the world's greatest tenor" -- actually the more-deserving, but unknown Ricardo Baroni (Allan Jones), who's also in love with the opera's soprano, Rosa (Kitty Carlisle). When Driftwood's deal falls through, the promoter, his patroness, tenors, soprano and many more must make a madcap Atlantic steamship crossing. Now, New York's Metropolitan Opera will never be the same when the Marx Brothers stage Il Travatore in the Big Apple.