The world premiere took place at La Scala, Milan on 16 May 1928 in a performance conducted by Arturo Toscanini with Antonin Trantoul and Florica Cristoforeanu [ro] in the leading roles of Fra Gherardo and Mariola.

[1] Parma, 1260 Gherardo, a rich man, announces that he has sold all his properties to give money to the poor.

The dawn of the next morning, he feels guilty and accuses Mariola for diverting him from the choice to dedicate his life to God; convinced that he had committed a serious sin.

The night of that same day, Mariola meets Gherardo and tells him about the life full of deprivation that he led in those years, and of the death of his son, born from their union.

July 18, 1269 The bishop and the mayor told Gherardo that Mariola has also been arrested but he can save her by making public confession.