Les Brigands

Act I
Some Brigands are watching a hermit who leads peasant girls "to the path of virtue": he is actually dreadful Falsacappa taking captives to his men. Falsacappa's confidant Pietro and his daughter Fiorella give him a portrait of Fiorella in courtly attire for his feast. She confesses to her father that she has had doubts since the band robbed lovely Fragoletto. But the latter arrives to join the bandits for the love of Fiorella. The brigands leave to test his courage. A handsome stranger who lost his way appears: he is the duke of Mantua whose flight is favored by Fiorella. Fragoletto proves himself by catching a courier from the court of Granada to the court of Mantua. He carries a message about a deal between the two states along with the portrait of a Spanish princess. Falsacappa replaces it with that of his daughter and frees the messenger. The day ends with a ceremony held to welcome Fragoletto. It is briefly interrupted by the carabineers' patrol.

Act II
Disguised as beggars, the brigands burst into the inn where the duke of Mantua's envoys are awaiting the princess of Granada and her retinue. Falsacappa wants to take over the money owed to the Granadans by the Mantuans after subtracting the princess's dowry. The brigands disguise themselves as cooks to receive the baron of Campotasso, ambassador of Mantua, and the carabineers who accompany him: they are locked in the cellar. The brigands put on the Italians' clothes to greet the princess of Granada, her preceptor Gloria-Cassis, her loving page Adolphe de Valladolid and the court. As the Spaniards are under lock and key, Falsacappa distributes their roles to his accomplices. But inside the inn full of prisoners, infamous Falsacappa's name is on every tongue. Fortunately, the carabineers are drunk and let the false Spaniards leave for Mantua.

Act III
At his palace in Mantua, the duke is throwing a stag party with his favorites. He asks his treasurer to quickly organize a reception for his future bride and repay the three million. The treasurer, who has squandered the duke's money with loose women, intends to corrupt the Spanish envoy. As the Spanish delegation arrives, Fiorella and the prince recognize each other and the brigands arouse suspicion. When Falsacappa finds out that the treasurer is a colleague, he is about to make a scandal. Thereupon appear the Italians and the true Spaniards along with the carabineers. The latter apprehend the brigands but Fiorella obtains their amnesty from the duke. Gloria-Cassis lets himself be corrupted by the treasurer whereas the brigands decide to become honest.