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Opera Music Plot Synopsis
Verdi: I Masnadieri

Cast:
Carlo, Count Moor's elder son, Tenor
Rolla, Companion of Carlo, Baritone
Francesco, Count Moor's younger son, Baritone
Arminio, the Count's steward, Tenor
Amalia, an orphan and the Count's niece, Soprano
Massilmiliano, Reigning Count of Moor, Bass
Moser, A Priest, Bass
Chorus of erring youths, latter bandits, Women, Children and servants.

Setting
Germany at the beginning of the eighteenth century. The Opera spans three years.

Act I: scene one | scene two | scene three
Act II: scene one | scene two
Act III: scene one | scene two
Act IV: scene one | scene two

Synopsis
Act I
Scene One
Setting: A tavern on the borders of Saxony.
Carlo is reading a book and waiting for word from his father. He expresses
discontent with the current state of affairs in Germany (Quando io leggo in
Plutarco). He longs for the forgiveness of his father for taking up with such a
vile group of men as the Masnadier. He longs also for the embrace of Amalia and
his homeland. He is truly repentant for his actions at the university. Several
young men enter with a letter for Carlo. It is from his brother and Carlo turns
pale as he reads it. He drops the letter and rushes from the room. Rolla picks
it up and reads from it aloud. His brother warns him not to return unless he
wants to be imprisoned as directed by his father. Carlo rerturns in an intense
state of agitation. The men tell him they will form a band of bandits with Carlo
as their leader. Carlo swears that he will be their leader until his death. The
bandits join him in a vengeful chorus calling for death and destruction
(Nell'argilla maldetta).
Scene Two
Setting: A room in the castle of Count Moor.
Francesco alone and in deep thought, says that he has finally done away with his
brother. Carlo had written a letter to the Count seeking forgiveness which
Francesco intercepted. He substituted another letter painting a dark picture of
Carlo. He comments that his father is almost dead and that he should finish him
off (La sua lampada vitale). He has been debating various methods of hastening
the end.
Arminio enters and Francesco questions his loyalty. Satisfied with his answer,
Francesco tells him to disguise himself and go to the old Count. He is then to
tell Massimilaino that Carlo has been killed in the battle of Prague. Arminio
questions whether the old man will believe him. Francesco assures him he will
because of the proof he will provide him with. Arminio leaves and alone,
Francesco declares that soon he will be the Count (Tremate, omiseri, voi mi
vedreta). He swears unspeakable havoc on those he will soon rule.
Scene Three
Setting: A bedroom in the castle.
Massimiliano is asleep in a chair. Amalia approaches and observes him. She
comments on his appearance and the fact that he has banished Carlo. She has lost
her joy, but does not hold it against Massimiliano. She suddenly remembers Carlo
(Lo sguardo avea degli angeli). Dreaming, Massimiliano calls for Carlo and
speaks of the saddness that plagues his son. Amalia tries to wake him, but he
thinks it is Francesco trying to take Carlo away from him. Amalia finally rouses
him and he tells her he has taken away her happiness and asks her not to curse
him. She declares she could never do that. Massimliano proclaims he is dying and
that the ungrateful hand of his son Francesco will lay him in his grave with no
one to mourn him. Amalia wishes herself dead to spend eternity with Carlo.
Francesco and Arminio, who is disguised, enter. Arminio tells them that he and
Carlo were comrades in the Army. They fought bravely against the enemy until
Carlo was struck down. He ordered Arminio to take his blood-stained sword to
Massiliamano and to tell him his disgraced son is dead. The last word he uttered
was, "Amalia." Francesco shows Carlo's sword to Amalia. Written in blood on the
blade is, "Death releases you, Amalia, from our oath. Francesco, take Amalia as
your wife." Amalia proclaims that Carlo never loved her while Massimiliano turns
on Francesco ordering him to return to life his dead son (Sul cap mio
colpevole). Francesco comments that he hopes this is the final blow to the old
man. Arminio expresses extreme remorse over the lies he has just told.
Massimiliano collapses and Amalia declares he is dead as Francesco proclaims
himself the new Count.

Act II
Scene One
Setting: A precinct adjoining the Chapel of the Castle. On one side are several
sepulchres, of which the latest one bears the name of Massimiliano.
Massimiliano has been buried and Francesco is celebrating his succession. Amalia
has slipped away to the tomb to mourn the old man. A chorus from the castle
interrupts Amalia's solitude. She observes that now Francesco cannot rob the old
man of the peace he was denied in life (Tu del mio Carlo al seno). She goes on
to delcare her unhappiness and envy over his suffering that has come to an end.
Arminio enters and tells her that Carlo is alive. Her joy is evident as she
declares that the world is once again filled with love (Carlo vive?).
Francesco enters wondering why Amalia left the banquet and she answers that she
came here to pray. Francesco dismisses her feelings and tells her he loves her.
She turns on him and tells him she will not dishonor herself this way. He
suggests that if she refuses, she will be his servant forever and her reputation
will be ruined. Amalia pretends to want to embrace him to ask for forgiveness.
Instead, she takes his knife and holds him at bay as she flees into the woods.
Scene Two
Setting: The Bohemian woods near Prague.
Two groups of Bandits are gathered at a campsite. The bandits exchange the news
of Rolla's imprisonment. Carlo swore that he would liberate Rolla and destroy
Prague by fire. A distant fire is seen as Rolla and another group of bandits
enter. Rolla was being led to the gallows when the bandits rode through the
groups of people throwing firebrands on the buildings. Carlo freed Rolla from
the noose that was around his neck. Carlo enters and tells his group they leave
at dawn. The group wanders into the woods to prepare for their departure. Alone,
Carlo contemplates the sunset and his current position as leader of the bandits.
His thoughts turn to Amalia (Di ladroni attornïato). The bandits rush back in
alarmed that they have been surrounded. All exit to fight their way to freedom.

Act III
Scene One
Setting: A lonely area on the edge of the forrest near the castle.
Amalia, lost, praises God for her escape from Francesco. Her thoughts are
interrupted by voices proclaiming that pillaging and wreaking havoc are mere
amusements for them. Carlo enters and immediately recognizes Amalia. Amalia at
first does not recognize him. She finally does and they embrace and join in a
duet proclaiming their love (T'abbraccio, o Carlo). Amalia frees herself from
Carlo and tells him they must leave because she just heard the voices of
bandits. She begins to question where he has been when he tells her not to
concern herself. Carlo asks what she was doing alone in the woods. She tells him
of his father's death and his brothers new position as Count. Francesco
threatened her life and honor and she fled into the woods. Carlo tells her to
trust herself to him and joins her in proclaiming that their love will last this
lifetime and into heaven (Lassù risplendere).
Scene Two
Setting: In the clearing of a forest with the ancient ruins of a keep rising
from the center. It is evening.
The Bandits are gathered around a fire and are singing of their way of life.
"Live full today for tomorrow may be our last." (Le rube, gli stupr) Carlo
enters and the bandits rise and greet him. He tells them to sleep and he will
keep the watch. One by one they lie down and fall asleep. Alone, Carlo says he
has decieved Amalia. He promised himself to her forever, but he is separated
from her forever because of his promise to the bandits. He contemplates suicide,
but decides against it. Arminio enters and approaches a grille in the keep to
deliver supper to a prisoner. The prisoner has been denied food and contact with
other humans. Arminio tells him to eat and that it is unwise for him to stay
here long. Leaving he curses Francesco. Carlo appears and blocks Arminio's path.
Arminio at first thinks Carlo is Francesco and begs for forgiveness for not
following his orders. Carlo is questioning Arminio when the voice from the
grille calls out to Carlo. Arminio tries to keep Carlo from going to it, but
Carlo threatens him and goes anyway. He opens it and brings out a mere skeleton
of a man.
Carlo recognizes Massimiliano's voice and asks what has happened to him.
Massimiliano declares that Francesco has buried him there and tells Carlo the
sad tale (Un ignoto, tre lune or saranno). Massimiliano had been thought dead
when he only had fainted. Francesco discovered him alive and brought him here to
the dungeon. "Throw that old man down there; he has lived to long." Massimiliano
says he begged and pleaded, but it was in vain as Francesco himself locked the
doors. At this he passes out.
Carlo rouses himself from his shock and awakens the bandits by firing his pistol
into the air. The bandits gather around him and he tells them this is his father
who was left to die in this manner by his brother. Carlo calls for vegeance and
tells them they shall bring this about (Vendetta, vendetta!). The bandits kneel
and ask what he desires. Carlo tells them to bring the father-killer to him
alive from wherever he is - which they swear to do. The bandits rush out as
Carlo falls to his knees before his father.

Act IV
Scene One
Setting: A suite of several rooms at the Moor's castle.
Francesco suddenly awakens from a nightmare in which the dead has risen and
called him a murderer! He summons Arminio and asks for a priest. Arminio sends
another servant for the priest and tries to comfort Francesco. Francesco begins
to recount his dream which was about the Day of Judgement (Pareami che sorto).
His father, wasted with hunger appeared to condemn him. Arminio leaves as Moser,
a priest, arrives.
Moser asks if he has been summoned for a legitimate call or to have his religion
mocked. He notes Francesco's trembling and says God is summoning him and is
demanding restitution for the crimes Francesco committed. Francesco answers with
a question: "What can he do to me? Which sin excites God's wrath the most."
Moser answers parricide and fraticide. Francesco tells him he is lying as Moser
tells him human thought alone cannot conceive these crimes. Arminio suddenly
enters with news of an attack on the castle. Francesco orders everyone to the
chapel to pray for him. He turns on Moser and demands absolution. Moser tells
him God can, but not man. Francesco kneels and begins to pray. Suddenly he rises
and proclaims, "No! Hell will not make jest of me!" Moser tells him to tremble
for God is denying him forgiveness.
Scene Two
Setting: The same forest as in scene two Act Three. Daylight is breaking.
Massimiliano is seated on a stone with Carlo at his side. Massimiliano still
thinks Carlo to be the ghost of his son. Massimiliano cries for Francesco to
Carlo's amazement. Massimiliano tells him that he will be avenged by God's hand
not his. He asks forgiveness from Carlo who grants it to him. Carlo kneels and
asks for his father's blessing, which he receives. Several bandits enter and
tell Carlo that Francesco has escaped. Carlo express joy. More bandits enter
with a dishevelled Amalia. They proclaim her a splendid prize as she calls for
Carlo to help her. Massimiliano greets her and she says, "You are alive?" Carlo
asks who has brought her here as she embraces him and asks for his protection.
Her identification of him in his current surroundings brings sudden changes in
Carlo. He tells the bandits to get Amalia away from him. "Kill the old man! Kill
her too, kill me, kill all of you! O that all the living could be destroyed in
one stroke!" He proclaims to Amalia and his father that their deliverers are
robbers and murderers and further, he is their leader! (Quel figlio da te
maledetto) He resigns himself to spending the rest of his life in prison as
Amalia throws herself at his feet. "Angel or demon! I will not leave you!" Carlo
observes her love and they embrace and proclaim that their love will last for
centuries. Massimiliano wonders if he is responsible for Carlo's fall. The
bandits rush forward and remind Carlo of his sworn oath to be with them forever.
Amalia tells him that if he cannot break his oath to the bandits, then he should
killer her. Life with him and the bandits would be full of shame and unbearable
for her. He tells the bandits that since they insist, he will sacrifice an angel
to them. He draws his dagger and stabs Amalia. The bandits surround the dying
Amalia as Carlo leaves to give himself up to the authorities.

Synopsis written by Stephen L. Parker, 4 May 1996