In 1796–1797, Provera played a significant role in three Italian campaigns against the Republican French army of Napoleon Bonaparte.

[7] Provera was a knight of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta and held the noble rank of Marchese.

[6] In March 1796 Provera assumed command of the Austrian Auxiliary Corps which consisted of 8 infantry battalions and 4 cavalry squadrons, with headquarters at Savigliano.

[10] During the Montenotte Campaign in April 1796, Provera led the 4,000-man Austrian Auxiliary Corps in the 21,000-strong army of the Kingdom of Sardinia-Piedmont.

[14] The following day, Charles-Pierre Augereau's French division marched west and encountered Provera's command at the Battle of Millesimo.

Because the defenders were running out of ammunition, the French were able to get close to the defenses and inflict 150 casualties, including Del Caretto killed.

[18] After being exchanged, in early October 1796, Provera was placed in command of the right wing of the Friuli Corps in József Alvinczi's Austrian army in the third attempt to relieve the Siege of Mantua.

On 21 October, Alvinczi began moving the bulk of the Friuli Corps westward to join Provera at Pordenone.

The Friuli Corps was organized with Peter Vitus von Quosdanovich as its commander and its strength was 26,434 men and 74 guns.

[21] At the Second Battle of Bassano on 6 November 1796, Provera assumed command of the left wing of the Friuli Corps near Fontaniva with the brigades of Anton Lipthay and Adolf Balduin von Brabeck.

[23] At the Battle of Arcole on 15 to 17 November, Bonaparte established a bridgehead across the Adige River to threaten the Austrian left rear.

However, a friendly fire incident between the two columns caused confusion and Massena drove Gavasini back to Belfiore, capturing three guns.

[29] In the fourth attempt to relieve Mantua, Alvinczi led the main Austrian effort from the north, down the Adige valley with 28,000 soldiers.

While the French army focused its attention to the north, Provera's 9,000 men struck at Legnago and Adam Bajalics von Bajahaza's 6,200 Austrians attacked Verona.

"[32] On the afternoon of 13 January Provera built a pontoon bridge over the Adige at Angiari, crossed that night, and headed for Mantua the next day.

[33] On 14 January 1797, Provera brushed aside blocking forces under Louis André Bon and Jean Joseph Guieu and camped at Nogara that night.

Thwarted here, Provera headed for the Villa La Favorita and ordered his drummers to signal the garrison of Mantua.

Incredibly, Mantua's commander, Dagobert Sigmund von Wurmser only slowly realized that a relief force was nearby.

At first, the sortie made progress, but Massena's troops began arriving after a forced march, and drove the Austrians back into the citadel.

At 2:00 pm he and Sérurier signed articles that surrendered 7,000 soldiers, 22 guns, a pontoon train, and a food convoy intended for the Mantua garrison.