简介 Rome, June 1800, is ruled by fear, that is, republicanism collapses, and shifts to royalism. Scarpia, general of the secret police, on the side of royalism continuously commits many republicans to prison. One of the republicans, Angelotti, succeeds in breaking out of prison, and rushes i nto the church of Sant' Andrea della Valle. In the church, he meets up with another republican, Cavaradossi.