The text is based on cantos XIV and XV of Il Ricciardetto, an epic poem by Niccolò Forteguerri.

[5] The Nubian King Agorante, who is infatuated with Zoraide, has defeated her father, Ircano and captured her.

Ricciardo, a Christian knight and Zoraide's lover, accompanies an emissary to plead for her release.

Agorante's jealous wife, Zomira, arranges the capture of Ricciardo as well and plots to have the young lovers executed to protect her position as Queen.

The opera ends with an army of Christian knights rescuing Ricciardo and Zoraide.