Euryanthe

Euryanthe is betrothed to Count Adolar of Nevers. In a hall of the palace of King Louis VI of France in Prémery, the count sings the praises of his promised bride (who is not present). Lysiart, Count of Forest and Beaujolais, challenges the fidelity of the maiden and asserts that he can win her should he care to try. Adolar stakes his lands and fortune on the faithfulness of Euryanthe and demands that Lysiart shall show some proof of his victory should he win one.

In Nevers, Euryanthe has befriended Eglantine de Puiset, the daughter of a mutineer. Eglantine is enamoured of Adolar, and under the pretence of friendship for her benefactor, she secretly determines to effect Euryanthe's downfall and rupture her attachment to Adolar. After questioning by Eglantine, Euryanthe confides a secret given to her by Adolar to Eglantine. Adolar's sister Emma had lost her lover in battle, and had killed herself by drinking poison from a ring (the 'ghost' music from the overture is heard). Her soul can find no rest until the ring, lying in her tomb, should be moistened with the tears of an injured and innocent maiden. Euryanthe, who has been praying each night at Emma's tomb, had promised Adolar to keep this secret, and, too late, she repents having told it to Eglantine. After Euryanthe leaves, Eglantine sings how she will denounce Euryanthe to Adolar. Lysiart arrives in order to escort Euryanthe to the king's palace.

At night, Lysiart is in despair because he has failed to win Euryanthe for himself and thus has lost his wager with Adolar. He vows to get revenge (though at this point he does not know how) . Eglantine happens by, after visiting Emma's tomb and abstracting the ring. As Lysiart and Eglantine discover each other, they realize they can make common cause against their enemies. Lysiart proposes marriage with Eglantine and promises to give her dominion over Nevers if the plot succeeds. Eglantine gives the ring to Lysiart.

Before an assembly in the hall at Prémery, Adolar reveals his anxiety while still longing for his bride, who then arrives (still unaware of the wager). Lysiart displays the ring to Count Adolar, claiming that Euryanthe had told him about it. Adolar is convinced that his betrothed is unfaithful, since she must have betrayed the secret known to him and her alone. Euryanthe admits she revealed his secret, but protests her innocence otherwise. Her admission is taken by all to prove her infidelity. Adolar gives up his possessions to Lysiart, and rushes off into the forest with Euryanthe.

In a rocky gorge, Adolar intends to kill Euryanthe, still protesting her innocence, and then himself. They are suddenly attacked by a serpent and the girl throws herself between her lover and the monster; Adolar kills the serpent. He cannot find the heart to kill the one who would have given her life for his, and he goes off, leaving her to her fate. Euryanthe longs for death, but the king and his hunters arrive on the scene, and she recounts the story of her woe and the treachery of Eglantine. Although joyful that she might see Adolar again, she collapses as they lead her away.

Meanwhile, Eglantine has become engaged to Lysiart, and the wedding is about to take place in the Castle of Nevers (no longer in Adolar's possession), when she is stricken with remorse. Adolar has entered in black armour with his visor down. Eglantine, struck by the silence of the courtiers, and still in love with Adolar, thinks that Euryanthe appears to her as a ghost. Adolar shows who he is, and challenges Lysiart to fight. The king appears, and to punish Adolar for his distrust of Euryanthe, leads him to think that she is dead. Eglantine, triumphant at the supposed death of her rival, makes known the plot and is slain by the furious Lysiart. As Eglantine dies Euryanthe enters and rushes to Adolar. Lysiart is led off. Adolar says that his sister will find peace at last because her ring was moistened by the tears of the innocent Euryanthe. The king blesses the lovers.[7]