大象传媒

The opera switches between scenes in the Ottoman camp and Croatian scenes in Siget.

The first act, the longest of the three, is composed of three scenes: the first is the Scene in the Ottoman Headquarters in Belgrade: Ottoman leader Suleiman the Magnificent, already in poor health, decides to attack Vienna. His doctor Levi warns him that this could be fatal to him, but Grand Vizier Mehmed Sokolovi膰 supports him. Suleiman plans to take Siget and defeat Nikola Zrinjski. The Ottomans gather for a warlike chorale. In the second scene in Siget, Nikola鈥檚 daughter Jelena tells her mother Eva about her fear of the Ottomans and of slavery; at the news of the Turkish invasion, Zrinjski decides to resist. Simultaneously, Jelena and officer Lovro Jurani膰 are planning their wedding, but Zrinjski delays it until the end of the war. The third scene unfolds on the ramparts of Siget. The soldiers greet Jurani膰 and Alapi膰, whom Zrinjski has named his deputy. They are joined by Nikola, Eva and Jelena. They decide to remain with the soldiers. Zrinjski and his soldiers solemnly vow to defend Siget until the last man.

The second act begins with a scene in the Ottoman camp near Siget. The Ottomans are celebrating their victory at the Battle of Moha膷 (Moh谩cs in Hungary), which is described by Timoleon. Suleiman and Grand Vizier Mehmed Sokolovi膰 attend a formal dance. Suleiman, vexed by Zrinjski鈥檚 resistance, sends Mehmed Sokolovi膰 to negotiate.

Zrinjski is worried because of the ever-greater intrusion of the Turks, and he decides to demolish the walls of the new town and retreat to the old centre with his soldiers. Mehmed Sokolovi膰 attempts to use threats, blackmail, and even rewards to make him surrender, but Zrinjski refuses, showing him the flame swallowing the new part of town. Zrinjski and his soldiers repeat their solemn oath, and Mehmed Sokolovi膰 leaves.

The third act begins with the scene of Suleiman鈥檚 death. Suleiman dies, but Mehmed Sokolovi膰 hides this from the army and assumes leadership.

Jelena sings her mother鈥檚 lullaby and falls asleep. In her sleep, she sees fairies singing a praise of her wedding with Jurani膰. When she awakens, Jurani膰 comes bearing the news that a decisive battle is coming. Sensing an ill outcome, Jelena asks Jurani膰 to kill her to keep her from falling into Turkish hands; they say their parting words, and holding Jelena in his arms, Jurani膰 stabs her.

In the last scene before the battle, Zrinjski and Eva part. Zrinjski鈥檚 final orders follow, and he parts with his soldiers and officers with a shared battle cry. The finale, the Catastrophe, is a tableau vivant presenting the charge out of the burning town and the battle, which ends the opera.