Act I
At the Palace of Whitehall in London the Court are celebrating. The Duke of Anjou brother to the King of France has sought Queen Elizabeths hand in marriage and the glorious alliance of the two kingdoms is eagerly anticipated. Elizabeth enters still undecided as to whether she will accept the French proposal. For a long time her heart has belonged to her favorite Robert Dudley Earl of Leicester but recently she has sensed that his love for her is waning. Talbot Earl of Shrewsbury and Mary Stuarts custodian for many years takes the opportunity to petition the Queen for her cousins release. Cecil Elizabeths Secretary of State argues that Mary presents a constant threat to the stability of England while she remains alive. Elizabeth refuses to be drawn into the subject of her cousin but privately fears that the Queen of Scots has stolen the love of Leicester from her. In the past Leicester has been a suitor for Marys hand and was dazzled by the young Queens beauty when he first met her long ago in France. Leicester arrives and Elizabeth gives him a ring to convey to the French Ambassador in equivocal acceptance of Anjous proposal. His indifferent response fuels her suspicions and she leaves attended by the Court. Alone with Leicester Talbot secretly hands him a letter and a miniature sent by Mary. Enmeshed in the plots of the English Catholics against Elizabeth Marys life now hangs in the balance. Enraptured by the portrait Leicester vows to give his aid and support to Talbots plans for Marys liberation. As Talbot leaves Elizabeth returns alone. Suspicious of Talbot she demands to see the letter in Leicesters hands. Mary has written to beg Elizabeth for an audience and despite herself tears spring to Elizabeths eyes. Seizing his advantage Leicester presses the Queen to agree to ride out near Marys prison on a hunt and under this pretext engineer a meeting between the two queens. Although mistrustful Elizabeth agrees to her favorites request.

Unexpectedly allowed by Talbot to walk freely in the park outside her prison of Fotheringhay Castle Mary rejoices running far ahead of her lady-in-waiting Hannah Kennedy. Her thoughts turn to times of happiness and liberty in France. The horns of the royal hunt are suddenly heard in the distance. The approaching huntsmen cry out Elizabeths name and Mary is struck with fear at the prospect of finally setting eyes on her cousin. Leicester has ridden ahead of the hunt to prepare Mary for the meeting. He urges her to humble herself before Elizabeth and move the Queen to pity. Pledging his love and loyalty he promises Mary that she may yet be free. He hastens to greet Elizabeth as she arrives with the hunting party. She is agitated and suspicious and Leicesters solicitude for Marys cause rouses her jealousy. Talbot leads Mary forward and the two queens stare into each others eyes for the first time. Mary masters her pride and shows deference before Elizabeth but her cousin remains aloof and insulting. She accuses Mary of licentiousness murder and treason. The tender words with which Leicester tries to calm Mary serve only to increase Elizabeths anger. Insulted beyond endurance Mary turns on Elizabeth. She denounces her as the illegitimate offspring of a whore one whos foot sullies and dishonors the throne of England. Elizabeth orders the guards to seize Mary and drag her back to her prison.

Act II
Time has passed and Mary has remained incarcerated at Fotheringhay under ever harsher conditions. The marriage to Anjou is now a faded dream for Elizabeth. Cecil has procured evidence that implicates Mary in a Catholic plot to assassinate Elizabeth and a warrant for her death lies on the Queens desk at the Palace of Whitehall. But Elizabeth is racked with anxiety and fear. If she signs it she sends an anointed monarch to the scaffold and makes an enemy of all Catholic Europe. Cecil urges her to be strong her own life could be at stake and all England will applaud her and defend her if need be. Elizabeths indecision ends when Leicester enters the chamber. Quickly and indifferently she signs the warrant and hands it to Cecil. Appalled Leicester pleads with her to rescind the order and show mercy. Elizabeth commands him to be present as witness to the execution. Leicester tells her that she has sent a sister to her death and leaves.

In her room at Fotheringhay Mary rails bitterly against her fortune. Suddenly Cecil and Talbot enter to tell her that she must die in the morning. Cecil offers her the services of a Protestant minister in her final hours. Angrily she refuses and commands him to leave but asks Talbot to stay. He tells her that Leicester will be present when she dies and tries to comfort her. But Mary is tormented by the ghosts of her past and longs to make the confession to God that Cecil has denied her by refusing the ministrations of a Catholic priest. Her heart is heavy with the bloody memories of her short reign in Scotland and the deaths of her beloved favorite David Rizzio and her husband Darnley. Gently Talbot urges her to confess to him. She agrees and begins to unburden her conscience. Finally she confesses her unwitting acquiescence in the fatal plot of the English Catholic Sir Anthony Babington to assassinate Elizabeth. She and Talbot pray together for Gods absolution and Mary calmly prepares for death.

Early next morning Marys faithful servants gather weeping outside the great hall of Fotheringhay where Mary will be beheaded. The Queen enters. She asks them not to shed tears as death comes to liberate her. She gives Hannah a silken handkerchief to bind her eyes when the moment comes and leads the household in a fervent prayer. The shot of a cannon on the ramparts above signals that the time of execution is near and Cecil arrives with guards to conduct Mary into the hall. Elizabeth has sent word that all requests should be granted her in her final moments and Mary asks that Hannah may accompany her to the scaffold. She tells Cecil that she forgives her cousin and prays that her blood will wash away all memory of hatred between them. Leicester suddenly appears distraught as more shots of the cannon indicate the time has come. Mary calms him. She is content that she will die with him close at hand. She prays that England may be spared the vengeful wrath of God. Dressed in red the color of Catholic martyrdom she ascends the scaffold.

Premiere took place December 26 1830 in Milan in the theater Carcano.

The action takes place in Spain at the beginning of the XIV century.

Act first. Scene one. Monastery of St. James Kompostelskogo
Young novice abbot Balthasar Ferdinand said that he refuses to vow obedience his heart is covered by the love of a woman name and position which he does not know. Balthasar Ferdinand reluctantly releases from the monastery.

Act first. Scene Two. Garden at the residence of Leonora
Inessa tells the ladies that Leonora mistress of King Ferdinand love with a young novice and told her to invite him here. Inessa Ferdinand sought out and he`ll be here. Ferdinand appears. Leonora goes. It calls Ferdinand did not seek a meeting with her love will bring them only misery. But she loves him and wants him to reach a high position. Leonora presents Ferdinand royal decree awarding him the officer`s rank. Date interrupts Inessa a king and requires Leonora to her. Lovers are forgiven. Ferdinand decides that Leonora is very high position and he needs to get a reputation to connect with the beloved.

Act II. Garden of the Royal Alcazar Palace
Minister Don Gaspar tells the king that the Spanish army under the command of a young officer Ferdinand won a decisive victory over the Moors. King happy and ready to reward the winner. The King calls Leonora was incorporated to share in the joy of victory. But Leonora is not fun. Now that she has fallen in love with Ferdinand the relationship with the king seems to her crime. Enters the garden court. Don Gaspar announces to all of the victory over the Moors. Suddenly includes Balthazar. He brought the papal bull by which the king should break off relations with the favorite and rehabilitate his wife. The King is not going to obey the Pope`s request. Baltazar said that if the king does not abide by tomorrow he will be excommunicated.

Act III. The Throne Hall
Ferdinand who defeated the Moors arrived with a report to the king. Enter King and Don Gaspar. The King said the minister that is prone to the condition of the papal bull not to incur the Castile conflict with the church. Seeing Ferdinand King gladly welcomed it. Included Leonora. She also impressed with his dear. King Ferdinand asks what reward he wanted for his feat. Do not hesitate to ask of King Ferdinand hands Leonora. King shocked it`s fate - the conflict was resolved with the church itself. The King takes Ferdinand. Leonora in turmoil. She loves Ferdinand but confused his ambiguous position. Inessa comforts her. There is a king Ferdinand Don Gaspar and all the courtiers. The King dedicates Ferdinand in the Knights of St. James bestow the title of count and gives the hand of Leonora. Ferdinand happily suited to the bride. Today they are married. All go. Don Gaspar dissatisfied rise Ferdinand told the court that his awards are due not so much a victory over the Moors as marriage to the former mistress of the king. Courtiers whispered. But love does not hear the gossip Ferdinand he anticipates future happiness. Includes Balthazar. He came to know the decision of the king. Don Gaspar tells him that the king will perform the condition of the Pope he gives his mistress to marry another man - for Ferdinand. Ferdinand shocked. March to the sound of King Ferdinand leads to Leonora in a wedding dress. Ferdinand throws feet King chain of the Order of St. James rejects the title of Count and the shameful marriage. In desperation he goes along with Balthazar.

Act Four. Monastery of St. James
Balthasar Ferdinand prepares for initiation as a monk. All night he must pray and tomorrow morning will perform the ceremony. Ferdinand senses in turmoil. He still loves Leonora and only pride forced him to give up the bride. Appears the young monk. He is looking for Ferdinand and asks him to leave him alone with him. When the monks go young man lifts the hood - it`s Leonora. She left the court of the king and came to the monastery on foot in search of a loved one. Still feel completely possessed Ferdinand. He is ready to give up everything to go with Leonora. They are inseparable be happy. But too late. Leonora could not stand the moral and physical testing. It falls to the feet of Ferdinand. He calls for help. Uses Balthazar. His words are not comforting Leonora dead. Dreams of happiness vanished. Tomorrow Ferdinand forever gone from the world and being shut up in a monastery.

Premiered on December 2 1840 in Paris at the Academy of Music.

Prologue.
Palazzo Grimaldi terrace in Venice. Night Masquerade. The terrace which overlooks the Giudecca Canal runs laughing youth. This Liverotto Gatsella Vitellotstso Orsini and Gennaro. Their last day in Venice tomorrow go to the court of the Duke of Ferrara Alfonso. For young people secretly watching servant Lucretia Gubetta. Orsini tells of killings and other crimes blamed on the Duke and especially his wife Lucrezia Borgia Nella fatal di Rimini e memorabil guerra .... They come to the conclusion that for such acts it is worthy of death. Gradually fades fun. Gennaro asleep right on the bench on the terrace. The rest go. The channel appears gondola. Gubetto helps to leave it to the lady in the mask. It`s Lucrezia Borgia. She is looking for Gennaro. With love she looks at the sleeping boy. This is her son who was raised in secret and never knew and had not seen his mother Com `? Bello! Quale incanto .... From a distance of Lucretia watches her husband Don Alfonso with his servant Rustigello. Duke thinks that the young man - another lover of Lucretia and orders Rustigello follow Gennaro. Gennaro wakes. He is surprised by the attention the unknown lady. Lucretius admits that she is the mother Gennaro but not named. Gennaro delighted he had long wanted to meet with the mother Di pescatore ignobile esser figliuol credei .... Friends back Gennaro. It is their mother. Orsini suddenly discovers a stranger Lucrezia Borgia and rips off her mask. All those present in person throw Duchess murder called names of the dead men. Lucretia in horror covers his face with his hands. Youth goes taking weeping Gennaro. Lucretia in despair.

Act first. Scene One. Area in Ferrara
The crowd welcomed the returning Duke Alfonso. But the duke is not fun. He is jealous of the young wife as he believes and tells her lover Rustidzhello find a way to destroy the young man who came to Ferrara Vieni la mia vendetta .... Duke comes to the palace. Of one of the houses goes Gennaro and his friends. After the holiday they are forgiven. Gennaro which are struggling to feel solidarity with the mother and friends decided on a dangerous escapade he throws off the coat of arms of the Duchess pictured at the palace the letter B leaving the word of the name of Borgia orgia corruption. From the palace shows Gubetto. All run. Watched the whole incident Rustigello. He is the head of Lucretia Astolph and reports that the Duchess of prestige suffered damages for which the death penalty and that he knows the culprit. Astolph is in custody and they go to arrest Gennaro.

Act first. Scene Two. In the palace of Don Alfonso
Rustigello report to the Duke that Gennaro arrested. Lucrezia appears. She complains of harassment faced in Ferrara and demands that those responsible for damage to the emblem Borgia was found and executed. Don Alfonso said that the desire of the Duchess is already satisfied and ordered to bring Gennaro. Lucretia in horror. She asks her husband to forgive the offender but the Duke recalls that she had just called for the culprit to abuse of the death penalty and insists that vengeance done and take away orders Gennaro back to prison. After a dramatic explanation spouses Duke announces that he agrees to pardon Gennaro. Gennaro again lead to the hall and the Duke offers him a drink in honor of reconciliation ordering Lucrezia Borgia lodge gold cups Guai se ti sfugge un moto .... Duke leaves. Lucretius explains to his son that in cups Borgia is a poison and give him the antidote confirms that she loves him and asks to leave immediately Ferrara to escape persecution of the Duke Bevi e fuggi ... te`n prego o Gennaro .... In the struggle of feelings Gennaro again wins the love of his mother he promises to leave and Lucretia releases it through a secret door.

Act II. Scene One. Lane near the house Gennaro
Rustigello continues on the orders of the Duke follow Gennaro. The house is suitable Orsini and knocks on the door. Opens Gennaro. Orsini invite others for a farewell dance carnival at Princess Negroni. Tomorrow begins Lent and this is the last chance to have fun. Gennaro said that the mother had promised to leave immediately. Orsini laughs at his obedience. Finally Gennaro decides to take part in the festival and in the morning to leave. Together with the Orsini he leaves. Rustigello who had heard the whole conversation hastened to the palace to tell everything Duke.

Act II. Scene Two. Hall in the palace Negroni
Orsini and Gennaro join the exhilarating society. It`s all the same friends. In the hall comes Gubetta. Of the Greek merchant he brought a great noble society Syracuse wine. Youth enthusiastically accepts a gift. They fill the cups. Orsini sings a toast Il segreto per esser felici .... Song wafting from the street stops singing penitent monks. Carnival is over start of Lent. Orsini suddenly becomes ill. Then feel unwell already and all the rest. The doors of the hall open. Lucrezia appears triumphant. She`s not just the Orsini and the company for the insult to her in Venice and most importantly - for the fact that they tried to oppose it with her son. And now by sending out Gennaro Ferrara she sent it on behalf of the Greek poisoned wine. In less than a few minutes everyone is dead. Lucretia suddenly noticed among the guests Gennaro. She requests that the son took the antidote but Gennaro did not want to leave friends. He is torn between his feelings of love for the mother and the horror of her crimes Tu pur qui? Non sei fuggito? ... Gennaro dies. Includes Duke Alfonso. He came to see the death of the hand Gennaro Lucretia. From Rustigello he knew Gennaro will participate in the festival but failed to warn his wife. Lucretia reveals the truth - her son Gennaro Era desso il figlio mio .... Love for her son was the one bright feeling but Heaven punished her. Lucretia falls unconscious to the body of his son.
Premiered on December 26 1833 in Milan at La Scala.

Act first. Palace of Westminster
Elizabeth receives a letter from the King of France in which he asks for her hand to his brother the Duke of Anjou. At the same time the king asks release from prison and sent to France Mary Stewart who for many years in the castle lies Fotheringham on charges of attempted English throne. Also requests for Mary Talbot Earl of Shrewsbury. Speaks strongly against Lord Cecil. Much will depend on the position of the royal favorite the Earl of Leicester. Elizabeth leaves Leicester with the court. Talbot asks Lester to support the release of Mary and for this to arrange a personal meeting with Mary Elizabeth. Lester agrees. All but Lester go. Elizabeth returns. After a long explanation of Elizabeth Lester can convince yourself - she will meet with Mary and then decide its fate.

Act II. Castle Park Fotheringham
Mary and her court lady Anna Kennedy walks through the park. Beautiful spring day in the soul creates hope for a possible prisoner release. From afar hear the sounds of the approaching cavalcade of hunters. Herald reports that the Queen Elizabeth. Included Lester. He tells Mary that gave a chance meeting like Elizabeth with her and begs Mary to humble their pride and on their knees praying for release. The only way to achieve the mercy of Elizabeth. Elizabeth enters accompanied by Talbot Cecil and courtiers. Mary kneels. Elizabeth gives her hand to kiss. It seems just about reconciliation takes place but provoking Elizabeth Cecil and she puts Mary ridicule lists her lovers accused of organizing the murder of her husband. Mary pride offended. She throws Elizabeth worst for that accusation that she was not the daughter of Henry as her mother Anne Boleyn was convicted of adultery and executed for it and the king Henry questioned the origin of Elizabeth. Reconciliation is no longer possible. Elizabeth leaves in anger. Mary taken into custody.

Act III. Scene one. Cabinet Elizabeth
Cecil insists that Elizabeth signed the death warrant for Mary. Elizabeth hesitates. Lester enters and asks pardon Mary. Then Cecil Lester blames the fact that he is intriguing in favor of Mary because he decided to help her take the throne of England to marry her and thus become king. Enraged Elizabeth signed the execution order of Mary.

Act III. Scene Two. Mary`s room
Lord Cecil and Talbot bring Mary to death. Following his announcement of the Queen asks Talbot to stay she feels a sense of respect for him. Maria inconsolable approaching death and the ghosts of past sins disturb her she now and then imagining her shadow secretary Riccio who was murdered by her husband. Lord Talbot reveals the secret that is hidden from everyone at the court he - a Catholic priest. Maria confesses his sins sloth pride and suesloviya said he wanted a union with gentleman Babington kill Elizabeth and escape from prison. Talbot let her sins and received the Holy Sacraments.

Act III. Scene Three. Great hall in the castle Fotheringham
The court of Mary mourning his queen. Includes Anna. She is in despair. Maria appears. She walks with her head held in a royal robe and crown. Solemnly she says goodbye with his courtiers with Anna thanks for your service. Appear Cecil Talbot and Leicester. Mary Talbot and Leicester thanks for the help with contempt meets Cecil predicts the imminent end of the reign of Elizabeth to the throne and the return of the legitimate Stuarts. All shocked royal grandeur of Mary. It is led off to execution.

Premiered on December 30 1835 in Milan at La Scala. Opera came under the prohibition of censorship in 1836 and performed almost to the middle of the twentieth century.