7. In "The Queen of Spades", what was the secret that Lisa's grandmother had that German (Herman) wanted?
From Quiz Russian Opera Potpourri
Answer:
Three cards that allowed one always to win at gambling
The secret of the three cards is the central theme of the opera. The old woman learned it by providing, er, favours to Count St. Germain in her days of youth and beauty, and has told the secret twice so far: once to her husband and once to a "handsome youth." She is destined by prophecy to reveal the secret once more, to one who "comes in passionate love, who will take the secret by force." German, with a bit of encouragement from his friends, convinces himself that he is the third who will learn the secret from her. She gets her revenge by telling him "Three, Seven, Ace." When he makes use of the knowledge, the three and seven win as predicted, but then instead of the ace that he bets on, he is dealt the Queen of Spades-that was the real third card, and also coincidentally the symbol of the old lady. He kills himself in despair, so she gets her own back in the end!