Damira, sentenced to drown by her husband Creonte, king of Egypt, was saved by the fisher Silo, who took her in with his wife Lerinda to raise her as their daughter, changing her name to Fidalba. During a royal hunting game, Silo gives Creonte water from the Nile. To thank him, Creonte invites him to Court with his family. Fillide, the king’s favourite, has two lovers – Nigrane and Breno – but she hopes to marry Creonte. However, when the king promises that he will marry her, a painting of Damira falls to the ground: Creonte has an unfavourable premonition. Breno and Nigrane, pining for love together, realise that they love the same woman. Creonte discovers them and condemns them to exile. Damira comes back to Court, disguised as Fidalba, with Silo and Lerinda; Nerillo organises a dance of Armenians for them. Fillide says goodbye to her two lovers. In the palace, Nerillo shows Fidalba a painting recounting Damira’s story, and he announces the wedding of Creonte and Fillide. The king welcomes Silo and Lerinda, and thinks he recognises their daughter as his ex-wife. Fillide tries to bring the wedding forward, but Fidalba interrupts her and announces that the king’s wife is still alive. While the young woman is thought to be mad, Creonte is plagued by remorse. Fillide overhears the end of his monologue and believes that she will be killed like Damira: she asks Breno to kill Creonte. Damira, hopeful, pretends to be mad. The act ends with a dance of madmen. Breno tries to kill Creonte, who is sleeping by the Nile; Nigrane prevents him from doing so, but he is wrongly accused of trying to kill the king, and he is poisoned. To save him, Fillide gives him her clothes and has him leave with Nerillo. She gave Silo a golden chain to thank him for his good offices. Out of jealousy, Lerinda tries to take revenge on her rival and reports that she fled with Nerillo; Damira, wanting to take revenge, hits Nigrane, dressed as Fillide. Excused because Lerinda thinks she is mad, Damira reveals her identity and asks Creonte to pierce her breast: he is moved and decides to take his wife back. Creonte uncovers the veiled figure, Nigrane, and everyone reconciles – accusing Cupid, the blind god.

"On foot and by rod" puppet

Marionette with counterweight

Not specified

Acciaiuoli Filippo (aka Gran Burattinajo)

Italy

Venice

Printed

Love

Murder

favorite

Shepherdess

Egypt

Lyrical

Italian

Wife

King

Favorite

Knight

Captain

Eunuch

Peasant

Peasant (female)

Music

Love duet

Play in verse

Interlude

Dancing entertainment

Disguised character (false identity)

Love story

Love rivalry

Seduction scene

Hunting scene

Sleeping character

Attempted assassination

Sword thrust

Cross-dressing

Scene of recognition

Damira placata

Damira pacified