ACT ONE

The action takes place in 18th century Venice, in the square of the island of Santa Elena. There are gondoliers, farmers, fishermen and various tradesmen selling their goods and services. A young man, Andrea, appears on stage and confesses to his surprised mother, Claudia, that he is disillusioned with the dreary life he leads and is determined to join the army in order to defend the city-state of Venice.

In the next scene two gondoliers, Massimo and Gianni are having a heated argument, which is eventually won by Gianni who is an admirer of Biondinetta, an orphan girl. Gianni tries to win Biondinetta by expressing his admiration for her, even though he knows that she is in love with someone else.

When Andrea appears again with his mother, Gianni announces that he has to deliver "a message of great importance" to the Priest and he exits, while Andrea expresses his disapproval towards the flamboyant Gianni. They talk about the impending war, and when his mother withdraws, Andrea makes a jealous scene because he saw Gianni making advances to Biondinetta. Andrea passionately declares his love to Biondinetta and gives her a gold family cross as an engagement present. Biondinetta is deeply touched as she accepts the gift. Then their friends approach and all of them - along with Gianni - urge the couple to celebrate their love with singing and dancing. As Andrea is not fond of such expressions of joy, their friends urge Biondinetta to dance with Gianni, an act, that infuriates the enamoured Andrea. Biondinetta, in order to soothe Andrea’s pain gives him a ducat with a hole in the middle as a present of their betrothal.

The Priest comes out of the church, accompanied by senators, noblemen and officers. He announces to the people that the enemy plan to attack Venice and pleads to all the men to join the army. When Gianni, full of enthusiasm, hastens to take up arms, the Vicar orders him to stay on the island because the Senate needs the influence he has on the gondoliers.

ACT TWO

The scene is the battlefield where, amongst the dead bodies, we see Andrea who is gravely wounded. Some stretcher-bearers approach him while he suffers from hallucinations. He has a vision of his village, he sees Gianni embracing Biondinetta, then both of them entering the church holding hands, Finally Andrea cries out: "Les misérables, les misérables!"

The scene now changes to the same as in the first act. A dance is held and Gianni politely asks Biondinetta to dance. Then the mailman comes and the people run towards him anxiously. We can see Claudia amongst the crowd; there is no letter for her. Realising that fate was hard on her son, she collapses at the feet of Biondinetta; Gianni gently lifts her and takes her home.

The people gather inside the church and young girls leave some flowers in front of the altar.

Gianni along with Biondinetta and Claudia appear. While Gianni respectfully helps Andrea's mother to reach the altar, Biondinetta prays to Virgin Mary. Gianni draws near and, as both of them take Holy water, their hands join The priest takes some steps and says: "Gianni and Biondinetta gave a promise of marriage".

Back in the battlefield, Andrea cries out in a feeble voice: "Cursed be the traitors!" He faints and the stretcher-bearers take him away.

ACT THREE

Three years after the Battle, the people of Santa Elena celebrate the wedding of Gianni and Biondinetta Claudia shares her incurable pain for the loss of her son with the Priest who tries to give her courage. Next, the Priest holds a conversation with Massimo, who had joined the army along with Andrea, and he recounts the scene of the massacre in Verona confirming Andrea's death.

While the newly weds dance and enjoy themselves together with their friends, Andrea appears.

After the first shock, Biondinetta tries to tell him the shattering news tactfully. Furious as he is, Andrea snatches her wedding ring and throws it away. There follows a dramatic scene where, at Andrea's outburst of extreme wrath, Biondinetta begs for mercy and recounts all the trials she and his mother had to suffer, the pain they went through because of his loss, and the support they found in Gianni. Andrea, who is still mad with rage and seeks revenge, stabs himself. The voice of his mother is heard as she cries out: "Mon fils! Mon fils!" ("My son! My son!")