London, «in the fall of the 16th century». Elizabetta I feels neglected by Roberto Devereux, Earl of Essex, with whom she is madly in love. Two of the Queen’s advisors, Lord Cecil and Raleigh, Essex’s enemies, ask her to charge him with treason for his lenient behaviour in the war against Spain. Elisabetta receives Roberto, who is detached and reserved. The Duke of Nottingham is also disturbed by the sadness of his wife Sara whom he has spotted embroidering a blue scarf: he therefore confides in Essex, ignoring the fact that his friend is himself in love with Sara. On a late-night rendezvous with the woman, Essex reproaches her for marrying Nottingham; Sara, on her part, reproaches him for wearing a ring on his finger given to him by the Queen, as a pledge of mercy in the event of his conviction. As a parting gift, Essex gives Sara Elisabetta’s ring and Sara hands him her scarf.

Stephen Langridge

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