Andrea Chénier

Act I

Bersi and L'Inredibile are sharing a table as Bersi asks if it is true that Robespierre is training spies. L'Incredibile asks if she means, `Observers of the public spirit?' He replies that he has no idea and asks if she is afraid. Bersi asks why should she fear anything, declaring herself to be a child of the Revolution. A tumbrel loaded with condemned prisoners passes by on its way to the guillotine. A crowd follows it, shouting and mocking the prisoners. L'Incredibile watches Bersi leave and says that the blonde he has been looking for was with her earlier. He comments on Chénier, who has been waiting for several hours at a nearby table.

Roucher enters and greets Chénier. Roucher has brought him a passport, which Chénier at first rejects. He declares that he believes in destiny, declaring his destiny to be love (Credo a una possanza arcana). He tells of receiving letters from a mysterious woman. Chénier has been trying to discover the source of these letters. Roucher inspects her latest letter in which she suggests a meeting. Upon closer examination, Roucher dismisses the letter, proclaiming it to be written by a streetwalker! He encourages Chénier once again to take the passport, which he does.

A crowd forms to greet a procession from the palace. Gérard and Robespierre are among the crowd. L'Incredibile approaches Gérard and asks for more details about the woman he has been ordered to find. Gérard describes her and L'Incredibile declares that Gérard will see her this very evening.

A crowd of streetwalkers gathers, among them Bersi who approaches Roucher. She pleads with him to prevent Chénier from leaving. L'Incredibile approaches Bersi and asks if she will accompany him. She goes with him for one dance, leaving a distraught Chénier with Roucher. Roucher finally convinces Chénier to leave as Bersi quickly enters. She tells Chénier that a woman will soon come to see him and tells him to wait by Marat's Altar. He asks her name and Bersi tells him, `Hope.' Roucher fears an ambush. L'Incredibile declares that his plan is now in action.

Maddalena, dressed in a hooded cloak, enters hesitantly and asks if he is Chénier. He replies yes as she reminds him of their first meeting. She tells him she has always admired him from a distance. She says she is all alone, frightened, and asks him to protect her. In an ardent duet, they declare their love for each other and swear to remain together until death (Ora soave, sublime ora d'amore!).

Mathieu is trying to rouse the gathered crowd into giving donations to the revolution. The people do not respond until the recovered Gérard appears. He calls upon the people to give what they can, even their sons, to the great Motherland. An old blind woman appears with a young boy. She declares that this is her grandson and that he is all she has left in the world. She begs Gérard to take him, and he agrees. She bids a passionate farewell to her grandson as she is led away.

The crowd disperses as L'Incredibile approaches Gérard to tell him the trap is set. Chénier has been taken into custody. L'Incredibile declares that Maddalena will come looking for him. He tells Gérard to draw up the accusation against Chénier for the Tribunal. Gérard hesitates, reasoning that Chénier has already been marked by Fouquier-Tinville. He asks himself ironically, `An enemy of his country?' (Nemico della patria?). He reflects on his disillusionment with power and his own corruption. He has forgotten the goals of the revolution. His new master has become his sensuality. L'Incredibile returns for the indictment to deliver to the Tribunal.

Maddalena enters, much to Gérard's joy. He declares that he had Chénier arrested in order to attain her. Gérard says he wants to hold and love her. She declares that she will run to her death by screaming her name in the streets. She tells him that if the price of Chénier's life is her body, then so be it. Gérard is deeply moved by her love for Chénier. Maddalena begins to tell him of her mother's death (La mamma morta). She declares that she brings terrible fortune to those who love her. Suddenly she realized that Love is life. She says an angel approached her and told her he would protect her, but the kiss she received was that of death. She tells Gérard to have his way with her as she is dead already.

A clerk approaches with a list of the accused. Chénier's name is on it. Maddalena begs Gérard to save him. He promises that he will do it even though it was he who betrayed him. A crowd enters the courtroom discussing the upcoming trials and complains about the price of bread. The judges enter, followed by the prisoners. The trial begins as the first names are read aloud. The accused are given no chance to respond to the charges. Chénier's name is called and it is charged that he wrote and fought against the Revolution. Chénier is given a chance to defend himself (Si, fui soldato). He declares that, Yes he was a soldier; Yes he was a writer, writing against hypocrites. He declares that their corruption cannot touch him. ``I am not a traitor! Kill me? Yes, but leave me my honor!''

A call is made for the evidence and Gérard comes forward. He says that he had accused Chénier falsely. Fouquier-Tinville makes the accusations his own as Gérard, at great risk, tells the judges that justice's real name is `Tyranny!' He declares that they are killing their own country. Gérard concludes that, ``Outside, men are dying, valiantly defending their country; but here we murder our poets!''

Roucher and Chénier are together for the last time. Chénier has been writing a few verses which he reads at Roucher's urging (Come un bel dì di Maggio). Roucher leaves. Mathieu is heard singing La Marseillaise. Gérard and Maddalena enter. Maddalena has been granted permission for a final meeting with Chénier. She reminds Gérard of his promise as she asks the jailor about a woman scheduled to be executed that morning. She bribes him to let her take the woman's place. Maddalena welcomes her destiny and death. Gérard says that it is an enviable fate and rushes off to Robespierre to once again plead clemency. Chénier enters and Maddalena embraces him. An ardent duet follows (Vicino a te s'acquesta). Maddalena proclaims that this is not a farewell, but an end to their suffering. Both are called to the tumbrel as they cry, ``Long Live Death! Together!'' The curtain falls as they are led to the guillotine.