Written in the style of Viennese operetta, and set in 1792, shortly before the French Revolution, the story centers on a young French aristocrat in disguise, who has fled his country and falls in love with the daughter of a prominent New Orleans planter. The music from The New Moon is impressive. Softly, As In A Morning Sunrise is Gordon MacRae's 'signature piece' when it comes to the operetta music he performed.