But the drama itself had Meyer convinced. "Fiesco", he said, "is a masterpiece and far superior to The Robbers!" The plot The characters Andreas Doria, Doge of Genoa. A venerable old man 80 years old. A trace of fire. Main attributes: Gravity, a stern and imperious brevity. Gianettino Doria, His nephew. Claimant. A man 26 years old. Crude and offensive language, gait and manners. Boorishly proud. At odds with himself. (Both Dorias wear scarlet). Fiesco, Count of Lavagna. Head of the conspiracy. Young, slender, radiantly handsome man 23 years old, well-mannered pride, majestic friendliness, politely adroit as well as wily. (All the nobility wear black. The costumes are all old-style German.) Verrina, Dedicated republican. A man 60 years old. Massive, serious and gloomy. Bourgognino, Conspirator. A youth of 20 years. Noble and pleasant. Proud, spontaneous and unpretentious. Calcagno, Conspirator. Gaunt sensualist. 30 years old. Pleasing and enterprising. Sacco, Conspirator. A man 45 years old. An ordinary person. Lomellino, Gianettino's Confidant. Leonore, Fiesco's spouse. A woman 18 years old. Pale and frail. Delicate and sensitive. Very attractive, but not showy. Gives an impressive of effusive melancholy. Black clothing. Julia, Countess and imperial dowager. Doria's sister. A woman 25 years old. Tall and stout. Proud flirt. Beauty spoiled by bizarreness. Splendid but not pleasing. An unpleasant mocking character. Black clothing. Bertha, Verrina's daughter. An innocent young girl. Romano, Painter. Informal, direct and proud. Muley Hassan, Moor from Tunis. Suspicious looking character. Physiognomy a peculiar mixture of roguery and whimsy. Rosa, Arabella, Leonore's chambermaids. A German in the ducal bodyguard. Honorable simplicity. Hearty bravery. Centurions, Zibo, Asserato, several of the nobility, locals, Germans, soldiers, servants, thieves, three rebellious inhabitants and other malcontents. Background Genoa in 1547. This commercial center had gained its independence from France as well as a new prince through the actions of Andrea Doria 19 years previously. But the Doge Doria is now an old man 80 years old and there are fears that his nephew, Gianettino Doria, will be his successor. Among the Genoese nobility there is resistance to the rule of the Dorias and especially to his tyrannical nephew. A few of the dissatisfied rally around the strong-willed republican Verrina, but most have their own selfish goals. Sacco joins the conspiracy because he thinks he will be able to rid himself of his debts if there is a rebellion. Calcagno wants Fiesco's wife Leonore. Bourgognino wants to finally