The action unfolds in 1649, amid the English Civil War, near Plymouth.
Act One
The terrace of Lord Walton's castle welcomes the dawn and the guards change shifts. Officer Bruno Roberton joins the guards and morning prayers are heard. Today, Elvira, the daughter of General Governor Walter Walton commanding Cromwell's forces is to be wed. Guests gather for the celebration, including Sir Richard Forth, a colonel, who confesses to Roberton his dismay about the wedding as he was supposed to marry Elvira.
Meanwhile, Elvira in her chambers talks with Sir George Walton, her father's brother. Elvira loves Lord Arthur Talbot and is unaware that her betrothal to Richard Forth has been annulled. She is saddened by the impending marriage. Her uncle brings joyous news: he convinced his brother to give Elvira's hand to Arthur Talbot. Lord Walton's decision wasn't easy: his family are Puritans, whereas Arthur Talbot is a Royalist, a Stuart supporter. Arthur Talbot arrives at the castle with his entourage bearing luxurious bridal gifts, including a splendid bridal veil. Elvira, her father, and uncle accept the gifts and the guests praise the young couple. Among the guests is a noble lady, Walton's prisoner, a Royalist. The General Governor informs her that she must go to London to face Parliament. Arthur sympathizes with the prisoner, realizing she faces death as a Stuart supporter. The hosts and guests depart. The prisoner reveals her true identity to Arthur: she is Queen Henrietta, the widow of King Charles I, executed by the Puritans. Arthur decides to save the queen, hiding her under the bridal veil and attempting to lead her out of the castle disguised as his bride. Suddenly, their path is blocked by Richard. The colonel, mistaking the veiled figure for Elvira but upon seeing Henrietta, lets them pass. The hosts and guests return, shocked by the events. Elvira loses her sanity.
Act Two
A room in the castle. George tells the guests about Elvira's madness. Richard brings news of Parliament's death sentence for Arthur Talbot. Everyone curses the traitor. Elvira appears, mistaking her uncle for her father, and Richard for her fiancé. George believes only a reunion with Arthur can restore Elvira's sanity and convinces Richard to save his rival for Elvira's sake.
Act Three
A garden near the castle. Arthur, having escaped from prison, seeks a reunion with his bride. Elvira appears, still insane. At the moment of their reunion, her sanity returns. Arthur explains his actions: he fled the fortress to save the queen, but his heart belongs to Elvira. Cromwell's soldiers seek the fugitive, and Arthur wants to flee with his bride. The castle guests, George, and Richard gather at the noise. Arthur is captured, and Elvira is prepared to die with him. Suddenly, a messenger arrives, handing George a letter from Cromwell. The revolutionary leader's message proclaims the Stuarts defeated and enemies pardoned. The Puritans praise their wise leader, and Arthur and Elvira rejoice in their happiness.
Act One
The terrace of Lord Walton's castle welcomes the dawn and the guards change shifts. Officer Bruno Roberton joins the guards and morning prayers are heard. Today, Elvira, the daughter of General Governor Walter Walton commanding Cromwell's forces is to be wed. Guests gather for the celebration, including Sir Richard Forth, a colonel, who confesses to Roberton his dismay about the wedding as he was supposed to marry Elvira.
Meanwhile, Elvira in her chambers talks with Sir George Walton, her father's brother. Elvira loves Lord Arthur Talbot and is unaware that her betrothal to Richard Forth has been annulled. She is saddened by the impending marriage. Her uncle brings joyous news: he convinced his brother to give Elvira's hand to Arthur Talbot. Lord Walton's decision wasn't easy: his family are Puritans, whereas Arthur Talbot is a Royalist, a Stuart supporter. Arthur Talbot arrives at the castle with his entourage bearing luxurious bridal gifts, including a splendid bridal veil. Elvira, her father, and uncle accept the gifts and the guests praise the young couple. Among the guests is a noble lady, Walton's prisoner, a Royalist. The General Governor informs her that she must go to London to face Parliament. Arthur sympathizes with the prisoner, realizing she faces death as a Stuart supporter. The hosts and guests depart. The prisoner reveals her true identity to Arthur: she is Queen Henrietta, the widow of King Charles I, executed by the Puritans. Arthur decides to save the queen, hiding her under the bridal veil and attempting to lead her out of the castle disguised as his bride. Suddenly, their path is blocked by Richard. The colonel, mistaking the veiled figure for Elvira but upon seeing Henrietta, lets them pass. The hosts and guests return, shocked by the events. Elvira loses her sanity.
Act Two
A room in the castle. George tells the guests about Elvira's madness. Richard brings news of Parliament's death sentence for Arthur Talbot. Everyone curses the traitor. Elvira appears, mistaking her uncle for her father, and Richard for her fiancé. George believes only a reunion with Arthur can restore Elvira's sanity and convinces Richard to save his rival for Elvira's sake.
Act Three
A garden near the castle. Arthur, having escaped from prison, seeks a reunion with his bride. Elvira appears, still insane. At the moment of their reunion, her sanity returns. Arthur explains his actions: he fled the fortress to save the queen, but his heart belongs to Elvira. Cromwell's soldiers seek the fugitive, and Arthur wants to flee with his bride. The castle guests, George, and Richard gather at the noise. Arthur is captured, and Elvira is prepared to die with him. Suddenly, a messenger arrives, handing George a letter from Cromwell. The revolutionary leader's message proclaims the Stuarts defeated and enemies pardoned. The Puritans praise their wise leader, and Arthur and Elvira rejoice in their happiness.
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Art. Lebedev Studio