Synopsis

The action takes place in a suburb on the outskirts of Madrid at the end of the eighteenth century.

Part one

A group of majos and majas are having fun. Paquiro, the toreador makes a show of courting the girls enjoying themselves in the Pradero de la Florida. While Paquiro has a lover, Pepa, who arrives during the proceedings, he is, nevertheless, diverted by the arrival of Rosario, a high ranking lady looking for her lover Fernando, a captain of the Royal Guards. But Paquiro, struck by Rosario's charm, invites her to a ball scheduled to take place later that evening. Fernando, Rosario's lover, however, has also been a witness to what has happened and, rather put out, decides to go the ball as well. Pepa, Paquira's lover, is also upset, and thinks revenge may be the best answer.

Part two

At the ball Fernando's haughty attitude hurts the majas and the majas, and the toreador Paquiro in particular. Taking advantage of the situation, Pepa, Paquiro's neglected lover provokes Fernando as well as attacking Rosario, unleashing a violent reaction on Paquiro's part. When the majos respond to this in a challenging way, Rosario loses conscionsness. In the general confusion that follows, the two rivals (Paquiro and Fernando) to Rosario's hand challenge each other to a duel.

Part three

Rosario, sitting on a bench in her garden, listens to the song of the nightingale and joins it echoing her own sad refrain. She then goes back indoors, where she is joined by Fernando. They sing together, a duet fully expressing their love for each other. Nevertheless, after this comes the sound of a bell tolling, signalling the hour of the forthcoming dual with Paquiro. Fernando frees himself from Rosario's embrace and follows his rival to their place of assignation. Rosario realises the tragedy that is about to unfold and tries in vain to stop it taking place.Sadly, when she arrives, it is already too late, and Fernando, mortally wounded, dies in her arms.

- Ian Johnston