in love with the Queen, who in turn refuses his love unless the king is proved to have been unfaithful to her. Don José plots to have Maritana marry the condemned man before his execution, thus making her Countess de Bazan, and thus the potential mistress of the King. Without explaining his plan, he promises Maritana riches, while his friend Don César will gain commutation to death by firing squad (instead of a common hanging) and protection for the boy Lazarille. The marriage takes place and then, after Lazarille vows to save his master, the execution is carried out. Act 3 The 'widowed' Maritana is now living at the San Fernando palace to be taught courtly manners, being assured by Don José that her husband will soon return from exile. The King comes to visit her, claiming to be Don César - but Maritana says she cannot love him. Before Charles II can force his attentions on her, the real Don César comes in, for Lazarille had cunningly removed the shot from the execution squad's muskets. Don César has already discovered Don José's plot, and finding the traitor in the Queen's private apartments he has killed him, in order to save the honour of the Royal couple. He is appointed Governor of Granada (a long way from Madrid, to ensure Maritana's honour) by the King, and all look forward to the hero's happy life with his beautiful young wife. Recording Laurent Naouri, Elsa Dreisig, Marion Lebègue, Christian Helmer, Thomas Bettinger, Ensemble Aedes, and Orchestre des Frivolités Parisiennes, cond. Mathieu Romano. Released June 2020. CD: Naxos Cat:8660464-65. See also Maritana References External links Operas by Jules Massenet French-language operas Operas 1872 operas Opera world premieres at the Opéra-Comique Operas based on plays Operas based on works by Victor Hugo