merchants, who bring precious presents from the Duke. She conseals herself (scene II). Called to make soften her heart with his singing, Stradella enters with Beppo and pupils. He tries some usual tunes, but soon finds that the girl in the room is no one else than Léonor (scene III). Stradella's attendants leave, and the lovers sing a desperate duet. In the middle of this a vocalise by Beppo is heard, which gives them an idea about how to escape together (scene IV). Unfortunately the Duke comes into the room. He tells the stunned Léonor about his love, while Stradella tries to keep himself still, singing only a parte. The girl rejects the Duke, and after he begins to threaten her, the singer comes out to tell the truth. Thanks to his pistol, the lovers manage to get out (Scene V). Act III is set in Rome. The first tableau depicts a dining room in a hotel. After an aria sung by Stradella (scene I), enter two gangsters, Pietro and Michael. Spadoni, who is also here to find the runaways, asks them to kill Stradella. At first they refuse, but the gold makes them more agreeble (scene II). Léonor notices Spadoni as the three leave. This makes her much alarmed (scene III). The second tableau takes place in a church. It is the Holy Week. The people pray, while Stradella speaks with inspiration on sins and atonement. The killers attend the sermon too, and the words of the singer make them to decline the affair (scene IV). Enters the Duke and declares that he has forgiven Léonor and Stradella. The whole congregation praises the Lord (scene V). Structure Overture Act I Scene I Recitative (Spadoni, Duke) "Nous y voila Monseigneur" Choeur de bravi (male chorus, Duke, Spadoni) "Nos bras sont à vous" Scene II Choeur d'élèves (female chorus) "Là du sommeil l'ange" Romance (Stradella; Léonor at the end) "Venise est encore au bal" [Choeurs d'élèves et de bravi] (mixed chorus) "Là du sommeil l'ange" Scene III Recitative (Léonor, Stradella) "C'est donc vous, Stradella" Nocturne (Léonor, Stradella) "A demain les delices supremes" Scene IV Recitative (Spadoni, Duke, Léonor offstage) "Amis, la place est libre!" Scene V Choeur des sbires (male chorus, Officer, Spadoni, Duke) "Marchons serrés et faisons" Scene VI — Final [Choeur] (Spadoni, Les masques [mixed chorus], Les sbires) "Ah parbleu, mes enfants" Act II Scene I [Introduction] Recitative (Léonor)