Composer: Riccardo Zandonai
Premiered: February 19, 1914 - Teatro Regio, Turin

Other Popular Opera Synopses:
Donizetti's Lucia di Lammermoor, Mozart's The Magic Flute, Puccini's Gianni Schicchi, & Puccini's Madama Butterfly

Setting of Francesca da Rimini:
Zandonai's Francesca da Rimini takes place in 13th century Italy.

The Story of Francesca da Rimini

Francesca da Rimini, ACT 1
Francesca's father has arranged her marriage to the older son of the rivaling family.


The older son, Gianciotto, goes by Giovanni lo Sciancato (Giovanni the Lame). Though he has physical deformities, he is known for his brutality. Francesca's brother Ostasio is worried that she will not marry Gianciotto. He learns that Gianciotto's younger and attractive bother, Paolo, will be arriving first. Along with the lawyer, Ser Toldo, the two men arrange for Francesca and Paolo to meet. When Francesca and her sisters see Paolo along in the garden, they tearfully depart ways (this is the first time the sisters have been separated). Without saying any words, the two fall deeply in love. Francesca picks a beautiful rose and hands it to him.

Francesca da Rimini, ACT 2
Alone in Gianciotto's castle, Francesca, now his wife, sits alone while he is away at war. Still bitter by betrayal, her life lacks happiness. After hearing movement in the halls outside her door, she believes Gianciotto has returned. When she opens her door, she finds Paolo. After scolding him, he quickly confesses he knowingly took part in the deception, but he does have passionate feelings for her.

Sadly, their conversation is cut short when the castle comes under siege. Paolo takes up arms and begins to fend off the intruders. When it looks like he is severely injured, Francesca rushes to his aid, but finds he isn't hurt. Through her actions he realizes that her feelings for him are just as strong. Gianciotto enters the room with good news for Paolo - he has been elected to serve in Florence. Then, several soldiers enter the room carrying Gianciotto's and Paolo's younger brother, Malatestino. Francesca attends to his wounds. He has lost an eye, but after she cleans him, he is quick to his feet and rushes back outside to fight. Paolo soon departs.

Francesca da Rimini, ACT 3
After several months have passed, Francesca reads a story of Lancelot and Guinevere to her female entourage within her luxuriously appointed chambers. Her maid servant notices that something is bothering her, and Francesca divulges that she fears Gianciotto. Her maid suggests a visit from Paolo might cheer her spirits. The other women begin to play music and dance. After a while, Francesca pulls her maid aside and tells her to turn Paolo away when he arrives. Moments later, he does, but the maid is unable to turn him away. Francesca dismisses the women, leaving her alone with Paolo. He reminds her of the rose she gave him when they first met, and then asks her to continue reading the story of Lancelot and Guinevere. After barely a few moments, the two can no longer deny their love and passionately embrace.

Francesca da Rimini, ACT 4
Some time has passed, and having saved his life, Malatestino approaches Francesca. He has fallen madly in love with her. Though he is certain her feelings for him are not the same, he confesses his love to her anyway. When she does not give into his advances, he tells her that he is aware of her and Paolo's frequent late night rendezvous. Screams are heard coming from the dungeon and Francesca mentions how she cannot stand the noise. Malatestino tells her he can fix it and rushes away. Fearful of Malatestino, she begins to cry. When Gianciotto finds her, she tells him that Malatestino has upset her. Moments later, Malatestino arrives carrying the head of the shouting prisoner. Gianciotto allows Francesca to leave and begins to question Malatestino. Malatestino is quick to tell Gianciotto of Francesca's affair. Gianciotto does not believe him at first, but Malatestino persuades him to spy on her room that night; there will be no doubt in his mind when he sees Paolo enter her room.

Later that night, Francesca awakes from a nightmare. After her maidens comfort her, they leave and Paolo enters. They embrace and lay down in the bed. Moments go by and Gianciotto bursts into the room. Paolo scrambles to his feet. Gianciotto takes out his dagger and lunges for Paolo, but Francesca jumps in front of him. She falls to the ground, mortally wounded. Gianciotto then stabs Paolo, and the two lovers lay lifelessly together on the floor of her bedroom.