Act One
SCENE ONE: ISABELLA and ORAZIO
Isabella appears at the window, engaging in a romantic scene with Orazio. They come down and exchange wedding vows, holding hands like newlyweds, and then depart.
SCENE TWO: OTTAVIO, ISABELLA at the window, ARDELIA at the window, and BRIGHELLA and ROSETTA
Ottavio appears above, speaking of the love he carries for Isabella. He commands Brighella to knock, and he does. Isabella looks out, and Ottavio reveals his love for her. She refuses him, saying she loves Orazio. Ottavio reacts with indignation, and in the end, Isabella, filled with scorn, closes the window and leaves. Ardelia, from the window, overhears everything and calls Ottavio, reproaching him for his persistence. He disdains her, treating her like a servant. They leave.
SCENE THREE: UBALDO and DOCTOR
Ubaldo and Doctor engage in a scene of friendship. Afterward, they discuss the marriage of their daughters and resolve to marry them off to one another. They give their word to each other and depart happily.
SCENE FOUR: OTTAVIO and BRIGHELLA
Ottavio and Brighella enter, discussing the plan they must undertake to possess Isabella. Brighella advises Ottavio that it would be well to kill Orazio. Ottavio agrees, suggesting they wait for the opportune moment when Orazio comes to Isabella's window at night. They reach an agreement and depart.
SCENE FIVE: DOCTOR, UBALDO, ARDELIA, ISABELLA, and ROSETTA
The characters enter, stating that everything is arranged for the wedding. They call their daughters, who are informed of the news. The parents attempt to touch their daughters' hands, but they firmly refuse and leave. Rosetta advises the parents to have patience, and then she departs. Despite the setback, the parents do not lose heart and also leave.
SCENE SIX: ORAZIO and GRADELLINO
Orazio and Gradellino enter, towing a guitar, beneath Isabella's window. After various conversations, they begin to play music, and during this...
SCENE SEVEN: OTTAVIO, BRIGHELLA, and the aforementioned
They shout, "Who goes there?" They prepare their weapons. The servants flee, and the masters retreat. After a few blows, Orazio falls. Ottavio believes he is dead. Brighella returns, stumbling upon the fallen man. They have a scene together, and in this moment...
SCENE EIGHT: ISABELLA with a candlestick, and the aforementioned
Isabella arrives with a candlestick, recognizes the fallen man, and performs a scene of grief. The others remain aside.
SCENE NINE: DOCTOR and ISABELLA
The Doctor witnesses everything, takes hold of his daughter, and sends her home, saying he wants to leave before the authorities arrive and accuse him of the crime.
SCENE TEN: GRADELLINO alone
Gradellino stumbles upon the fallen man, stands up, recognizes him as his master, and to be certain, goes to find a light. Upon seeing the blood, he doubts justice and departs. The fallen man begins to rise, calling out, but Gradellino, leaning against the wall, departs without seeing anyone.
SCENE ELEVEN: ISABELLA and GRADELLINO
Isabella arrives, questioning whether her spouse is truly dead. She doesn't see him and reacts with various conclusions. In this moment, Gradellino asks for news about his master, and she says she doesn't know. Gradellino asks who killed him, while she wants to tell him, but in this moment...
SCENE TWELVE: ORAZIO, BRIGHELLA, and the aforementioned
Gradellino hears people and flees. Orazio sees Isabella again and pleads for her love. She claims to be a widow and harshly reproaches his love. She departs, and Orazio, seeing no hope, declares his intent to go to war and departs with Brighella.
SCENE THIRTEEN: ROSETTA and ARDELIA
Rosetta, who has heard everything, informs her mistress that Mr. Orazio has left to go to war. Her mistress performs a scene of grief, and they depart.
SCENE FOURTEEN: GRADELLINO and ORAZIO
Gradellino laments the loss of his master, and during this, Orazio appears and plays various tricks on Gradellino. Not seeing anyone, Gradellino jokes out of fear, and when he sees Orazio, he believes him to be the spirit of his master, flees, and the act ends.