Act I

Hedda Gabler opens in the drawing room of the Tesmans' villa in the prestigious west-end district of Christiania, Norway. George Tesman and his new wife, Hedda, have just returned from a six-month honeymoon. Juliana Tesman, George's maiden aunt, and Berta, the Tesmans' servant, talk about George's invalid Aunt Rina, Hedda's father, General Gabler, and George's fortunate marriage and bright career prospects.

George enters, greets his aunt, and sends Berta off to store his valise while he helps Juliana remove her new bonnet. They discuss his good fortune in winning the much-admired Hedda, who, Juliana hopes, may already be pregnant. The journey and the villa and its furnishings, arranged by Judge Brack, have put both George and his aunts in debt, but Juliana assures her nephew that he is sure to get his anticipated academic appointment. Eilert Lovborg, George's chief competitor for the position, remains in disgrace...