Synopsis

ACT I
Scene 1: The Padilla Estate

Maria’s sister Ines prepares to marry Don Luigi. Townspeople offer the newlywed couple flowers and leave to prepare the ceremony.

Ines tells Maria that she looks forward to welcoming Don Luigi’s cousin, Don Alfonso di Pardo, to her wedding and that a mysterious man named Mendez will accompany Don Alfonso.  Although Maria is happy for her sister, she anxiously describes a dream in which a cherub led her to a throne and crowned her. She confesses to Ines that she is in love with Mendez.

Francisca, a servant in the Padilla household, announces Don Alfonso and Mendez. Don Luigi then leads everyone into the church to start his wedding ceremony.

Scene 2: Maria’s Bedroom

After the ceremony, Maria is alone in her room. Francisca arrives and breaks the news that Mendez is actually the King’s son, Don Pedro, who intends to elope with Maria.

Francisca leaves. Don Pedro enters Maria’s room and assures her of his love. Maria threatens to kill herself if he will not marry her and preserve her honor. Don Pedro swears he will marry her in secret.

ACT II
Don Pedro’s Country Estate

Don Pedro has ascended to the throne on the death of his father.   As the new King of Castile, he has given Maria a beautiful palace in the countryside. While the King is away, his courtiers privately denounce him for delaying his politically-arranged marriage with Bianca di Borbon. Ruiz Padilla, Maria’s father, arrives at the palace in disguise. Don Ramiro, the King’s envoy, informs him that the King is keeping Maria as his lover. During a party to celebrate the King, Maria’s father swears to avenge his daughter’s honor.

Ines arrives and informs Maria that the King has sworn to avenge the death of his friend, Don Alfonso, who has been killed by Ines’ husband, Don Luigi.  Because Don Ruiz, Maria’s father, has denounced his daughter for her affair with the King, Maria departs the estate to beg her father’s forgiveness.

Don Ramiro, the King’s envoy, announces messengers from France who represent the King’s betrothed, Bianca di Borbon.  The King delays meeting with them.  Maria’s father arrives and, refusing to reveal his identity, challenges the King to a duel. Reluctant to fight an old man, the King has Don Ruiz arrested and orders the guests to return to the party.  Maria appears before the King to beg for the unknown intruder’s life, prompting Don Ramiro to reveal the intruder’s identity.  Shocked at the treatment of her father, Maria curses the King and follows Ines back home.

ACT III
Scene 1: The Padilla Estate

At home, Don Ruiz’s health has deteriorated. Maria begs her sister for a moment alone with their father and tries in vain to prove her innocence. She shows him her marriage contract, but the dying man tears it to pieces. Maria realizes that he has lost his mind.

Outside the estate, townspeople celebrate the union of the King and Bianca di Borbon. Don Ruiz finally grants Maria forgiveness, asking her to leave him alone to die.  Instead, Maria entreats him follow her to the royal wedding.

Scene 2: The Royal Palace
His wedding to Bianca minutes away, the King reminisces about his happy days with Maria. He laments sacrificing his love for Maria for the good of his country and leaves for the ceremony.

The coronation of Bianca begins. As the King raises the crown above Bianca’s head, Maria appears and claims the crown as rightfully her own. The King names Maria as his legitimate wife and the rightful Queen of Castile.