Muzio Scevola

The tyrant Tarquinio has recently been deposed from the throne of Rome for his many abuses of power and has allied with King Porsena of the neighbouring kingdom of Etruria. Together they have marched on Rome with their armies and are attacking the city to restore Tarquinio as King of Rome. The good natured and trusting King Porsena has been duped by Tarquinio and does not see with what a scoundrel he has allied himself- indeed, Porsena has even promised his daughter, Princess Irene, in marriage to Tarquinio. Irene has no interest in marrying Tarquino however as she is secretly in love with young Roman army officer Oratio, and he with her, and Irene advises Oratio to fight against her father and Tarquinio and try to stop the despot being restored to the throne. At the Sublican Bridge in Rome, Oratio single-handedly fights off far higher numbers of invading Etruscans and then, wounded, and seeing his efforts failing, sets fire to the bridge, leaps into the Tiber and swims ashore, saving Rome and earning acclaim as a hero. The young Roman soldier Muzio is anxious to prove that he too is brave enough to risk his safety for his country. His sweetheart is Clelia, beautiful and equally valorous in the service of her country. Muzio disguises himself as an Etruscan and steals into the enemy camp, determined to assassinate King Porsena. When the King appears on a platform with other dignitaries to make a speech to his troops, Muzio does not recognise the King and kills the wrong person…

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