Synopsis: Edgar
ACT I
Edgar, whose affections are split between the loyal Fidelia and the wild Tigrana, awakens to Fidelia bringing him a gift. Fidelia quickly leaves as Tigrana approaches and unsuccessfully tries to convince Edgar back into their debaucherous lifestyle together. Edgar refuses, pledging his loyalty to Fidelia—for now. As Tigrana turns to leave, she runs into Fidelia’s brother Frank, his love for Tigrana ever unrequited and complicated by his parents taking in the orphaned Tigrana. Frank’s jealousy does nothing for Tigrana and they fight bitterly.
Tigrana mocks the villagers at prayer, and they angrily order her to leave. She retreats to Edgar’s house, where he defends her from the crowd’s fury. He leaves with her but not before burning down his own house in an act of defiance. Frank tries to stop them, egged on by Tigrana to duel Edgar, who wounds him badly. Frank’s father Gualtiero interrupts the fight while the villagers curse the fleeing lovers.
ACT 2
Edgar leaves a wild orgy at Tigrana’s house, tired of debauchery and longing to return to Fidelia. As Tigrana tries to entice him back inside, a platoon of soldiers arrives. Edgar is surprised that Frank is leading them, and asks for forgiveness. Frank readily does so, saying that their fight had broken him of his obsession with Tigrana, and the two men embrace. Edgar joins the platoon as Tigrana swears vengeance for him leaving her.
ACT 3
A large funeral procession carries the armored body of Edgar, who is rumored to have fallen in battle. All praise Edgar as a hero except one—a monk who claims to have heard Edgar’s dying confession and steps forward to denounce him. He reveals Edgar’s sinful life, and the easily swayed crowd curses Edgar. Fidelia alone proclaims Edgar’s innocence as the crowd disperses.
Tigrana weeps—less for the deceased Edgar than that no one is left to witness her tears. She reluctantly agrees to denounce Edgar for a bribe from the monk. The crowd returns, and at the monk’s prompting, Tigrana publicly confirms Edgar’s sins. Outraged soldiers move to strip the body of its armor and are shocked to discover the suit of armor is empty. The monk reveals himself as Edgar, praising Fidelia and denouncing Tigrana once and for all. Before he can leave with Fidelia, Tigrana violently stabs Fidelia, making good on her oath of vengeance. The soldiers capture Tigrana and Frank sentences her to death, while a horrified crowd can only watch Edgar weep over Fidelia’s lifeless body.
