[1] Born in Berlin to a wealthy family, as a young man Giacomo Meyerbeer had musical ambitions and studied and traveled in Italy.

A herald then proclaims that it is forbidden to grant asylum to Edemondo, who forfeited the title of Earl of Lanark and has been on the run since he was accused of murdering his father.

Olfredo, who does not seem convinced of the guilt of Edemondo, then reminds Norcesto of the circumstances in which the Earl of Lanark was murdered.

A poor shepherd arrives at the castle: it is Edemondo, who, tired of his fugitive life, has returned in disguise to try to find his wife and son.

She is taken prisoner in turn while Olfredo has the greatest difficulty in restraining Edemondo who wants to defend his son and his wife.

A gallery in the Palace of the Count of Lanark, Glasgow Donaldo, a knight, reports to Norcesto that attempts to regain Edemondo have been unsuccessful.

She bitterly reproaches him for separating her from her son, to which Norcesto offers to reunite them if Emma will reveal the whereabouts of Edemondo.

The palace is stormed by Knights and villagers who have heard that Edemondo is in the vicinity and demand he be brought to justice for the murder of his father.

The dungeon of the palace Olfredo and Etelia his daughter visit Edemondo in the prison where he is awaiting execution.

The cemetery where the counts of Lanark are buried at sunrise Emma arrives at the monument on the grave of her husband's father.

[1] Within a few years it received further performances not only in Italian opera houses but, with a text translated into German, in Dresden, London, Vienna, Munich, Berlin, and other European centres.

[2] After Meyerbeer's lifetime the opera went unperformed for many years until a concert performance in Vienna in 2010,[3] which was recorded.

Impressive and monumental choral scenes such as the Chorus of Judges and funeral march in the last act are a feature of the work.