A small village in a Tyrolese area ruled by a Count in the first half of the 17th Century.
Act I: | scene one | scene two | scene three
Act II: | scene one | scene two | scene three
Setting: A pleasant village. The villagers are gathered to celebrate Luisa's birthday.
Laura and the villagers sing a gentle chorus to summon Luisa for her birthday celebration (Tidesta, Luisa). Luisa and her father leave their house and greet their friends, commenting on the beauty of their song and the beautiful day. Luisa notes that "Carlo" has yet to arrive. Rodolfo has told everyone this is his name in order to conceal his true identity. Miller fears the young man, but Luisa tries to assuage his fears (Lo vidi, e'l primo palpito). The villagers are presenting Luisa with flowers and gifts as "Carlo" enters. "Carlo" and Luisa join in a joyful duet (T'amo d'amor ch' esprimere) which develops into an ensemble. Each proclaims their love and devotion for the other. Miller however, expresses a sense of impending doom and doubt about the young man's character. Church bells ring and everyone except Miller goes to the Church.
Wurm enters and tells Miller to stay. He tells him that he loves Luisa and he alone deserves her hand in marriage. Miller replies that he only promised his consent if Luisa loved him. Wurm angrily denounces Miller for not being able to control his daughter at which Miller defends his actions by saying the choice of matrimony is sacred and must be entered into freely (Sacra la scelta). Wurm then tells Miller that "Carlo" is actually Rodolfo, Count Walter's son. He leaves Miller alone with his broken heart and mounting apprehension as he calls upon heaven to keep his daughter safe.
Scene Two
Setting: A large room in Count Walter's castle.
Walter enters followed by Wurm who has been telling him of Rodolfo's intentions of marrying
Luisa. Walter tells Wurm that he wants to see Rodolfo and Wurm leaves to fetch him. Walter
reflects on his own success to date and how his son could derail his plans for further success
(Il mio sangue). He blames God for Rodolfo's rebelliousness declaring parenting to be a
hellish torture.
Rodolfo enters and embraces Walter who tells him of his impending marriage to . . . Federica.
Federica's father had forced her to marry the Duke who was later killed in battle. Federica is now
rich and held in high esteem at the Imperial Court. Rodolfo tells his father that he does not have
ambitious desires to the court. He is about to add that he loves Luisa when the Duchess enters.
Walter tells Rodolfo to obey him as they go to meet the Duchess and her entourage. Walter tells
her that Rodolfo wants to talk to her and on his way out, reminds Rodolfo of his wishes.
Alone with the Duchess, Rodolfo decides that he must trust her and tells her that heaven not his
father has picked a bride for him. She asks what he means and he tells her that destiny has bound
him to another. Rodolfo begs her for mercy and asks her how he could lie before God by
marrying her. Federica declares that no favors shall be given to him from her jealous heart:
"Love scorned is a fury that cannot forgive."
Scene Three
Setting: A room in Miller's house.
In the distance can be heard the calls and sounds of a hunt in progress. Luisa is waiting for
Rodolfo. Miller enters and collapses into a chair. He tells Luisa that "Carlo" is really Rodolfo,
the son of Count Walter and worse, he is about to be married. Luisa doubts the news and Miller
reveals he has just come from the castle where he heard the news first-hand. He swears
vengeance by his honored uniform. Rodolfo has been at the door listening to their conversation
and he tells them that even though his true identity has been found out, his heart is still the same.
He then kneels and takes Luisa's hand declaring that he is her spouse and for God and her father
to witness his vow. Miller asks who will save them from his father's anger. Rodolfo tells them he
knows a secret that if revealed would destroy the Count. At this, the Count enters. He tells them
he has come to stop a sinful intrigue. Walter goes on to scoff at Rodolfo and Luisa's love.
"Love? The love of a vile seductress?" Rodolfo draws his sword as Miller decla
res his honor has
been wounded. Walter orders chains for Miller and Luisa as Luisa kneels in front of the Count to
plead forgiveness. Miller raises her and tells her not to kneel to a wicked oppressor (Fra'
mortaili ancora oppressa). An ensemble develops in which Rodolfo declares that anger is
raging inside his soul. Walter tells Rodolfo that he must submit to his will. Luisa wonders why
the Lord has let this fall upon her. Walter orders the Archers to comply with his commands as
Rodolfo, sword still in hand, stands in front of Luisa. He threatens anyone who touches her with
death. Walter seizes Luisa and hands her over to the Archers. He then taunts Rodolfo telling him
he has touched Luisa, "What are you going to do?" Rodolfo says that if she goes, then so does
he. He then threatens to kill Luisa and Walter tells him to go ahead. Rodolfo declares that if
Walter insists on imprisoning her, he will reveal the secret of how he became the Count. To
everyone's amazement, Walter suddenly orders the pair to be set free.
Setting: A room in Miller's cottage.
Villagers rush into the room calling for Luisa. She enters and is told that her father has been
taken into custody by the Count. Luisa is about to leave for the castle when Wurm enters. He
orders the villagers to leave and tells her that since her father threatened the Count he must be
punished. Wurm goes on to tell her she can save him - if she will write a letter. She agrees and
he begins dictating this letter to her. The letter is addressed to Wurm himself and it begins by
declaring that Luisa never loved Rodolfo - only his position. (Luisa was merely a peasant while
Rodolfo was the son of a Count.) "I return to you and want us to elope." Luisa hesitates
wondering how she can bring such shame upon herself. She reminds herself that this is necessary
to save her father (Tu puniscimi, o Signore). She finishes the letter and gives it to Wurm.
Two more conditions are imposed upon her. When asked, she must say that the letter
was written voluntarily by her. She has to appear at the castle and swear this in front of the
Duchess. She agrees and calls for Wurm to release her father so he can close her dying eyes
(A brani, o perfido). Wurm tells her time will heal her wounds and their marriage cannot
happen fast enough.
Scene Two
Setting: A room in Count Walter's castle.
The scene opens to Walter expressing distress over Rodolfo's actions (Egli delira). Wurm
enters and tells Walter everything is set. Wurm reveals that the letter is on its way to Rodolfo.
We then learn the terrible secret Rodolfo threatened to reveal (L'alto retaggio non ho
bramato). It seems that Walter coveted the position of his cousin. Wurm adds that he was a
part of it because of Walter's promise of whatever bride he wanted. Wurm goes on to add that
every evening, the Count passed through a dense forest. He and Walter murdered him one
evening. At the sound of their guns, Rodolfo came up to the fallen Count. Barely alive, the
Count told Rodolfo the identity of his assassins and died. The villagers believed he had been
killed by highwaymen. Wurm cries that he is lost and Walter tells him he is not alone. Either the
secret is kept or they both shall be condemned.
The Duchess enters as Wurm leaves. Walter tells her that Rodolfo's heart will soon change. He
goes on to tell her that Luisa loves another and will vouch for it in person. Luisa is brought
in with Wurm and cannot look at the Duchess. Walter and Wurm blame it on her position as a
peasant. Federica asks Luisa if she is in love. Luisa tells her yes and after some goading by
Federica admits it is . . . Wurm. Federica asks about Rodolfo and Luisa replies that he deceived
her with his false name. When she learned his real position, she merely wanted him for what he
could do for her. Federica's joy is evident as Luisa, alone, bears the humiliation. Federica notices
a change in Luisa and asks if there is another secret - or perhaps she is not telling the truth? She
hesitates and then points to Wurm declaring her ardent love for him and no one else. To herself,
she decries her fate while Federica can barely contain her excitement. Walter and Wurm express
delight over their impending success.
ACT II: The Intrigue
Scene One