The setting is Lombardy. The land is ruled by King Flavio, who is also the King of England. He has two counsellors, Ugone and Lotario. Ugone’s son, the young knight Guido, is this very day to marry Lotario’s daughter, the noble-minded Emilia. Ugone also has a daughter, the lovely Teodata. He desires her to seek a position as a lady-in-waiting at the court in order “to avoid the bitter solitude of her maiden years”. Little does he know that she already has a secret lover. This is Vitige, the King’s adjutant.

Act I
Before the light of day betrays his presence, Vitige steals from Teodata’s chamber and the lovers take farewell.

Guido’s marriage to Emilia takes place in the house of the bride’s father attended only by close relatives. The bride and bridegroom sing of their bliss then separate until the wedding celebration in the evening.

Ugone presents his daughter to the King and says that she wishes to enter his service. Flavio is more than willing: he is smitten by Teodata’s beauty and promptly assigns her to his wife, Ernelinda.

Lotario invites the King to the wedding feast. At this point Flavio receives a letter from the Governor of England, Narsette, who, enfeebled by age, requests to be relieved of his post. Flavio’s first reaction is to appoint Lotario who is still in his prime. Lotario already begins to luxuriate in anticipation of the honourable appointment. But then Flavio appoints Ugone instead, hoping in this way to rid himself of the father of his new passion and so be able to woo Teodata without interference. Lotario only knows that he has been passed over; he is seething with rage and dashes away.

Flavio rapturously tells his adjutant of Teodata’s beauty. To conceal his own relationship with her, Vitige stutters that “she does not please his eye”, but Flavio continues his eulogy.

Ugone stumbles towards his son: his cheek is aflame from a blow: Lotario has slapped his jealous colleague! The kinght’s code of honour requires him to avenge the insult, but Ugone is too old to weild a sword. He asks his son to fight the duel in his stead, thereby casting Guido into a tragic conflict between his duty to his father and his love for Emilia to whom he has just become betrothed. He proclaims his decision to defend the honour of his own family.

Emilia arrives. She does not understand why he tries to fly from her and vows eternal constancy to him, come what may.

Act III
Emilia and Ugone importune the King for justice. She demands the death penalty for her father’s murderer, while he pleads for his son’s life. Overwhelmed by the events, Flavio asks for time to reflect and sends them away. Now Vitige enters with Teodata. The sight of her strikes Flavio speechless and he therefore entrusts Vitige with his suit which, understandably, turns out to be a somewhat half-hearted business. Flavio thereupon undertakes it himself. He calls Teodata “my queen” and promptly tries to conduct her into his bedchamber, while Vitige’s heart becomes “a raging sea” of jealousy.

Emilia is in mourning – for her father and for her fugitive Guido, but then she once again vows implacable vengeance. Guido appears and hands his sword to her that she might kill him. Emilia takes it – lets it fall and leaves. Guido begs the god of love for help.

Vitige and Teodata quarrel: they jealously accuse one another of having gone too far in the hoodwinking of the King and having allowed the game to become serious. Too late they discover that Flavio has entered and overheard everything. Contritely they admit to being lovers. Flavio is crushed.

Guido enters. He begs the King to have him put to death if Emilia still hates him for his deed. Now Ugone confesses that he had incited his son to commit it in his place. Flavio now realises that the wisdom of Solomon will be required to pronounce judgement. He takes courage form the awareness of his kingly responsibilities and sends for Emilia. He tells Guido to conceal himself and listen to the proceedings. Then he tells Emilia that Guido has been executed as she had requested, and that she may see his head right there. She refuses, falls to her knees and begs to be killed, too, since without Guido her life is meaningless. Guido rushes from his hiding-place and she almost swoons with joy. In their concluding duet he begs for forgiveness and she asks for a period of mourning.

Now Flavio’s “punishments” are announed: Vitige, who deceived the King, must marry the girl who does not “please his eye”; Ugone, who ordered the duel, will be banished to England – as Governor – and must acknowledge his son-in-law. Reconciled, they all thank the King in a final joyful chorus.

(c) harmonia mundi UK