Argilla, the gypsy girl of the title, brings together the lovers Ferrando and Ines, saves the life of the Duke, whom she brings together again with his brother and frees Don Sebastiano, who turns out to be her father. Comedy is provided by the servant Pappacione, fooled into searching for gold in an old cistern.

The soprano aria Fra l'erbe cosparse (Sprinkled over the grass) enjoyed some popularity, not least in the repertoire of the Berlin Nightingale, Miliza Korjus. La zingara (The Gypsy Girl) was Donizetti's first opera for Naples.