I due Foscari
THE ACTION TAKES PLACE IN VENICE IN 1457
Act I
Scene One – A hall in the Doge’s palace Members of the Junta and the Council of Ten, Venice’s ruling elites, go to meet with the Doge, Francesco Foscari, on state business. An officer of the Council leads in Jacopo Foscari, Francesco’s son. Recently returned from exile, Jacopo greets his beloved city. When the officer tells him he can hope for the Council’s mercy, Jacopo responds he will not receive any: the Council is full of hate and will condemn him.
Scene Two – A hall in the Foscari palace Lucrezia Contarini, Jacopo’s wife, is determined to demand from the Doge justice for her husband. However, her handmaidens tell her that only heaven can give her justice. Pisana, Lucrezia’s confidant, enters with news that the Council has spared Jacopo’s life but once again exiled him from Venice. Lucrezia calls down heaven’s wrath on the patricians.
Scene Three – A hall as in Scene One Following the hearing at which they sentenced Jacopo, the members of the Junta and Council of Ten comment that his letter written to the foreign Duke Sfoza has condemned the younger Foscari as a traitor. The laws of Venice apply to all with equal force.
Scene Four – The Doge’s private rooms Alone, the old Doge feels every aspect of his existence spied upon by the Council on Ten. He tells his heart to cry for his unfortunate son since his eyes no longer have tears.
Lucrezia enters weeping and speaks against the Council. The Doge warns her to respect the city’s laws. He explains that Jacopo’s letter, sent to a foreign ruler but intercepted by Venice, has condemned him. After the Doge repeatedly states that he cannot help his son, Lucrezia’s sees hope in the old man’s tears.
INTERMISSION
Act II
Scene One – The state prisons Jacopo bemoans his fate as he is imprisoned in a dark dungeon. Believing that he sees the ghost of a man previously condemned to death by the Council of Ten, Jacopo faints from fear. Lucrezia arrives. At first she thinks her husband murdered, but when she embraces him, Jacopo returns to his senses. She explains that he is once again sentenced to exile and separation from his family. Jacopo declares his punishment worse than death.
The Doge enters and is emotionally reunited with his son and daughter-in-law. The older Foscari tells Jacopo that he loves him and calls on God to protect his son. However, Francesco explains to Jacopo that he must leave for the time soon arrives when, as the Doge, he must execute the sentence of exile for his son.
Loredano, a member of the Council of Ten who seeks revenge on the Foscari (he hates their power and believes that Jacopo is responsible for the murder of his relatives), arrives to tell Jacopo that the ship that will carry him away has landed. While Jacopo and Lucrezia call down torment on the Councilor, Loredano gloats at his victory over the family he abhors.
Scene Two – Chamber of the Council of Ten Members of the Junta and the Council of Ten enumerate the charges against Jacopo. Francesco tells them that, as Doge, he will respect Venetian law, but as Jacopo’s father, his heart is in torment.
Escorted in to receive his sentence, Jacopo predicts he will die in exile and asks his father to beg the Councilors for mercy. However, Francesco upholds their judgment and commands his son to resign himself to exile. Suddenly, Lucrezia appears with her two young sons. Jacopo, placing his children at the Doge’s feet, again requests clemency from his father. Barbarigo, a member of the Junta, is moved to pity and asks the unwavering Loredano to relent. Lucrezia and her ladies beg for mercy, but the Council is adamant in its execution of the law. Though outwardly calm, Francesco suffers in hidden grief.
Lucrezia requests that she and the children be allowed to join her husband in exile. Her wish is dismissed and Jacopo is separated from his family.
INTERMISSION
Act III
Scene One – The old Piazzetta of San Marco The square gradually fills with people and masquers on an afternoon of celebration. After they sing about a gondola race, the galley that will take Jacopo away approaches. Lucrezia and her husband bid each other farewell. Impatient to exact his revenge on the Foscari family, Loredano commands the Chief of Police to send Jacopo quickly to his exile.
Scene Two – The Doge’s private rooms as in Act I Alone, the Doge mourns Jacopo’s exile and the earlier deaths of three other sons. He feels he is dying. Barbarigo hastily enters and tells Francesco that another man has confessed to the murder of which Jacopo is accused. Indeed, Jacopo is innocent, but Lucrezia arrives with the news that her husband is dead.
Members of the Junta and the Council of Ten demand that Francesco give up his position as Doge. The old man refuses, reminding them that twice he asked to abdicate and was denied. The patricians force their wish on Francesco, and he surrenders the symbols of his power. As Francesco is about to leave with Lucrezia, he hears the bells of St. Mark’s proclaim the new Doge. Francesco falls dead and Loredano’s revenge is complete.