First Part

The curtain goes up as the Cavaliere Lisandro returns from his North American journey. He disembarks with the handsome young American Villotto, whom he has carried away from the Peninsula of California, having found him sleeping under a tree. Waiting for the Cavaliere for three years is Donna Aurora, the Cavaliere's fiery, capricious fiancee and Silvia, a shepherdess.

Whereas Villotto and Silvia immediately form a happy couple, it is clear even before the first recitative that the betrothed Cavaliere and Donna Aurora will have none of each other.

The Cavalier orders that Villotto be dressed in the latest French fashion, and the servants carry out their difficult task while Villotto furiously tries to escape from them.

Donna Aurora's sights are soon aimed at Villotto, but the Cavaliere refuses to give him to her, which is the source of another quarrel between them. She then goes to the fields, where Villotto and Silvia are together, and orders Villotto to follow her; Silvia seeks the help of the Cavaliere who promises to rescue Villotto in the hope to gain her admiration.

Donna Aurora and Lisandro hide Villotto and Silvia respectively, but by chance the trick is discovered and once again the two begin to quarrel.

Second Part

While Villotto and Silvia swear eternal love to each other, Donna Aurora and Lisandro decide to give up on any plans to get married. Glad to have disposed of Lisandro, Donna Aurora schemes to lure Villotto away from his newly beloved Silvia, and convinces him that she thinks he is ugly. In the meantime the Cavaliere coaxes Silvia but is rejected by her. Villotto, believing he is ugly, seeks the help of the Cavaliere who suggests that, to improve his looks, he should observe Donna Aurora at her dressing-table and imitate her. He does so and makes himself up, becoming truly ungainly.

Compelled by Donna Aurora, Silvia tells Villotto that she has never loved him, but faced with his despair she confesses her love. Lisandro offers the couple his protection. Villotto would like to go back to America and declares himself willing to stay only if he can marry Silvia. Donna Aurora returns and the three start mocking her. She gets furious but calms down when Lisandro asks her to marry him: she accepts, although she maintains she is doing it only to drive him crazy. Donna Aurora attempts to send Silvia and Villotto away, but the Cavaliere intervenes and sets things straight once again. The young couple praise the honour and generosity of the Cavaliere; everybody celebrates the Triumph of Innocence.