 Guards at the door""

In a major opening chorus, the courtiers learn from Beatrice's maids of the terrible torture that has been applied to Orombello and, "no longer able to withstand the atrocious suffering, he declared his guilt", thus implicating Beatrice.The Court is summoned and Anichino, Orombello's friend, pleads for Beatrice.Agnese declares that the "longed-for hour of my revenge has come" but, at the same time she is troubled.