Bianka and Fernando by Vincenzo Bellini. Short summary

5 seconds

Filippo exiles the Duke’s son, Fernando, and locks him in prison. The tyrant wishes to seize the throne and marry the governor’s daughter. Fernando, now an adult, returns to avenge his father.

1 minute

The action takes place in the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries in the Italian region of Agrigento. Filippo has imprisoned Duke Charles and seized his throne. Fernando the ruler’s son was exiled as a child. And the unhappy duke’s daughter, already a widow, accepts Filippo’s proposal and becomes his wife. Fernando, now grown up, returns home to avenge his father, whom he believes dead. He returns to the palace, introduces himself as Adolf, and says he has seen with his own eyes the death of the Duke´s heir. Filippo gladly accepts the news and takes the warrior into his service. He commissions him to kill Charles.

Adarf (Fernando) meets his sister at the palace, but after all these years he does not recognize her. Filippo announces his imminent marriage to Bianca. Her brother considers her an accomplice of the enemy of the family. After explaining himself, he realizes he was wrong. Fernando uncovers the tyrant´s perfidious plan; together with his sister they go to their father and rescue him. Along with him, his armory supporters are also freed.