The plot is loosely based on the story of Anne Pedersdotter, a Norwegian woman who was accused of witchcraft and burnt at the stake in 1590.

La fiamma premiered to considerable success on 23 January 1934 at the Teatro Reale dell'Opera in Rome in a performance conducted by Respighi himself.

His aged mother, Eudossia watches while servants and lady in waiting Monica weave, and sing as they work.

Basilio's young wife Silvana enters and confesses to Monica how sad she feels in the palace.

A crowd is heard off-stage in pursuit of Agnese di Cervia, a friend of Silvana's mother, accused of sorcery and infanticide.

Donello initially refuses before realizing that he has the chance to break free of his desires, so he makes to leave.

Eudossia repeats what Agnese had sworn at the stake and insists that Silvana must prove that she is sinless by taking an oath on a religious relic.

Silvana: Mara Coleva Donello: Giacinto Prandelli Basilio: Carlo Tagliabue Eudossia: Lucia Danieli Agnese: Maria Teresa Mandalari Silvana: Ilona Tokody Donello: Péter Kelen Basilio: Sándor Sólyom-Nagy Eudossia: Klára Takács Agnese: Tamara Takács Silvana: Nelly Miricioiu Donello: Gabriel Sadè Basilio: David Pittman-Jennings Eudossia: Mariana Pentcheva Agnese: Cinzia de Mola