Lucio Silla

Act I: Cecilio, who was exiled by the dictator, Lucio Silla, secretly returns to Rome to see his beloved bride, Giunia. He learns from Cinna that Lucio Silla is in love with Giunia, and has therefore spread the rumour that Cecilio is dead. Lucio Silla, who can not win Giunia for himself, tries to force her to marry him by threatening her with murder. Giunia then goes to the grave of her father, where Cecilio secretly awaits her. Act II: Lucio Silla decides on a double wedding: he will marry Giunia, and his sister Celia shall marry Cinna. Meanwhile, Cecilio plans to kill the dictator, but Cinna advises him to wait so as not to endanger Giunia’s life. After Giunia’s repeated assurances that she would rather die than marry him, Lucio Silla is torn between a thirst for revenge, and his love for her. He asks the Senators to agree to his marriage with Giunia. She is about to kill herself when Cecilio rushes in, followed by Cinna, who wish to murder Silla. The assassination attempt fails, and then Cinna asserts that he only wanted to protect the life of the dictator, whereupon Cecilio is thrown into prison. Act III: Offering a vow of marriage to Celia, Cinna persuades her to try and convince her brother not to go ahead with the wedding. Giunia is allowed to visit Cecilio one last time. The two lovers promise to die together if Cecilio is sentenced to death. Silla is still torn between his contrasting feelings. When Cecilio is brought before the court, he surprisingly decides to make a show of his integrity and magnanimity. He pardons Cecilio and allows him to marry Giunia, consents to the marriage between Cinna and Celia, and also gives Rome her freedom back.