Gernika
Gernika and her lover Gogor discover armed visitors, and the King of the North offers the Basques protection while promising to respect their laws and freedom. Podio tries to possess Gernika and later demands aid for the King, provoking division among the Basques; he also attempts to kill the King. The opera represents the 1937 bombing of Gernika, then shows Podio killing Gernika and burning the town, while Gogor is restrained from revenge and the King promises punishment.