[5] The opera is scored[4] for the following instruments: Horia, a peasant, arrives at the court of Baron Kemény to plead for reforms to ease the plight of the serfs.
The men disagree over gradual versus drastic reform, and disagreement ends with the Baron threatening Horia with death.
Sensing danger is at hand, the women plead with him to remain at home, but Ionel leaves to join Horia.
Dochia grabs an axe to defend her daughter and herself, when they are interrupted by Horia, who swears justice will be done before dismissing the baron.
News arrives that the aristocracy have fled to Fort Deva and that imperial troops will rescue them unless the peasants can get there first.