La secchia rapita
In 14th-century Modena, Renoppia receives a bucket taken from Bologna as a trophy from her lover Manfredi. Bologna’s ambassadors demand the bucket and Renoppia and Countess Ghereda as brides; Modena’s council rejects the offer and declares war. Later, Lorenzo and Antibo negotiate, with Bologna demanding either the bucket or Renoppia. During a banquet, the guests fear a bowl of soup is poisoned, then rush out to defend the city when Bologna attacks. The conflict ends in duels: Manfredi wins, while the Count feigns an injury and flees. The opera closes with the characters proclaiming the bucket’s seizure more historically famous than other legendary abductions.