Act 1
In the square of a Flemish village, Edgar awakens after a long April night of revelry. He is caught in a love triangle of amorous feelings for the gentle Fidelia and passion for the sensual Moorish girl Tigrana. Fidelia’s brother, Frank, also yearns for Tigrana, but she merely mocks him in return.
The Sunday prayers in the church are interrupted by Tigrana’s outrageous singing, and the fiercely aggrieved villagers seize her and are ready to drag the woman, an outsider in the eyes of the community from the beginning, off to be tortured. Edgar intervenes: in order to restrain the villagers, he sets fire to his own house and frees Tigrana. They are about to leave the village forever when Frank suddenly blocks their path. Fidelia and her father, Gualtiero, anxiously watch the two men duel, a fight which ends with Frank being wounded. The crowd curses the fleeing Tigrana and Edgar.
Act 2
In a tavern in another village, Edgar watches Tigrana and the other libertines with disillusionment; with a heavy heart, he recalls that April morning when Fidelia confessed her love for him. The approaching clamour of military music draws his attention, and appearing at the head of the company of soldiers is Frank himself. Edgar decides to seize the opportunity to escape his new and dishonourable life. Reconciling with Frank, he joins his troops. Tigrana pleads with Edgar not to leave her, but he cannot be swayed.
Act 3
Not far from Edgar’s village, a crowd of mourners surround a coffin containing – or so they believe – the body of the heroically fallen Edgar. Frank recalls the dead man’s virtues with words of praise. However, a monk – who is none other than Edgar in disguise – begins to enumerate Edgar’s sins. Only Fidelia comes to the dead man’s defence. Tigrana also daringly attends the funeral in order to bid farewell to her fallen love. The “monk” coerces her into verifying the gravest accusations against the vile Edgar. Just as the outraged crowd is about to set on the sinful man’s dead body, the “monk” reveals his identity. Edgar is ready to start a new life at Fidelia’s side; he curses Tigrana, who is overtaken by the village’s vengeance.