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Years ago, Medea killed her brother to help Jason steal the Golden Fleece.
Jason promised he would never leave her.

ACT 1

Glauce’s friends reassure her about the forthcoming wedding. Glauce knows all about Medea, and she’s afraid of her. She prays to the gods to bless her union with Jason.
When Jason arrives in Corinth, Creon promises to protect both Jason and his children. Jason then presents Glauce with the Golden Fleece. That reminder of his past upsets her, and Jason comforts Glauce in a tender duet. It doesn’t help, and Glauce’s fears seem justified when Medea herself appears and denounces the pending marriage.
Creon promptly banishes Medea from the city, but she is allowed one chance to speak with Jason. He’s moved when Medea reminds him that she’s the mother of his children. But Jason is still determined to marry Glauce, and Medea vows that he’ll regret his decision.

ACT 2

Medea is furious with Jason, who has refused to let her see their children. Her confidante Neris tells Medea that she should also beware of Creon, who wants her out of Corinth immediately.
Instead of leaving, Medea decides to confront Creon. She begs him for a little more time before she goes, so she can say goodbye to her children. Reluctantly, Creon agrees.
Neris sings a moving aria about her mistress’s sad predicament, while Medea considers the situation. She knows that Jason has great affection for their sons and decides that his love for the children might be the key to getting back at him.
As the wedding festivities begin, Jason and Glauce go into the temple to pray, and Medea prays to the god of marriage to help her.

ACT 3

Medea decides to send Glauce some wedding presents: a diadem and veil which have been poisoned. Neris takes the children into the palace to present Medea’s gifts to Glauce. Medea is left alone, and as she sings, we learn that she has another plan of vengeance against Jason. She intends to murder their children.
Neris reappears, leading the children out of the palace for their last visit with Medea. She tells Medea that Glauce has accepted the gifts – the plan has worked. Medea can barely look at the two boys, and lets Neris know that her revenge against Jason is not complete. Neris begs her not to harm the children, and Medea seems to relent.
A commotion is heard from inside the palace. Glauce is dead, her flesh melted by the poisoned diadem and veil. Jason emerges from the palace gates, grief-stricken, along with an angry crowd intent on seizing Medea. Jason searches for the children, but Medea has taken them.
As the crowd gathers and Jason prays for the safety of his sons, Medea appears. Desperately, Jason asks, ’where are my children?’ Medea replies, ’They were your children.’ She has killed the boys.