Act I. The village of Chamounix. On one side a farmhouse. On an

eminence a church. _Antonio_ and _Madeline_ are poor villagers. _Linda_ is their daughter. She has fallen in love with an artist, _Charles_, who really is the _Viscount de Sirval_, but has not yet disclosed his identity to her. When the opera opens _Linda's_ parents are in fear of being dispossessed by the _Marquis de Boisfleury_, who is _Charles's_ uncle, but knows nothing of his nephew's presence in Chamounix, or of his love for _Linda_. She, it may be remarked, is one of those pure, sweet, unsophisticated creatures, who exist only on the stage, and possibly only in opera.

When the opera opens, _Antonio_ returns from a visit to the _Marquis's_ agent, the _Intendant_. Hopes have been held out to him that the _Marquis_ will relent. _Antonio_ communicates these hopes to his wife in the beautiful solo, "Ambo nati in questa valle" (We were both in this valley nurtured).

[Music: Ambo nati in questa valle,]

There are shouts of "Viva!" without. The _Marquis_ has arrived. He seems kindness itself to the old couple. He asks for _Linda_, but she has gone to prayers in the chapel. We learn from an aside between the _Marquis_ and his _Intendant_, that the _Marquis's_ apparent benevolence is merely part of a libidinous scheme which involves _Linda_, whose beauty has attracted the titled roué.

After this scene, _Linda_ comes on alone and sings "O luce di quest'anima."

[Music:

O luce di quest'anima, Delizia, amore e vita;]

I also quote the concluding phrase:

[Music:

Unita nostra sorte, In ciel, in ciel sarà.]

Savoyards are preparing to depart for Paris to go to work there. Among them is _Pierrot_, with his hurdy-gurdy. He sings a charming ballad, "Per sua madre andò una figlia" (Once a better fortune seeking).

There is then a love scene between _Linda_ and _Charles_, with the effective duet, "A consolarmi affrettisi" (Oh! that the blessed day were come, when standing by my side), a phrase which is heard again with significant effect in the third act.

[Music:

A consolarmi affrettisi, Tal giorno sospirato,]

_Antonio_ then learns from the good _Prefect_ of the village that the latter suspects the _Marquis_ of sinister intentions toward _Linda_. Indeed at that moment _Linda_ comes in with a paper from the _Marquis_, which assures to her parents their home; but, she adds, naïvely, that she has been invited by the _Marquis_ to the castle. Parents and _Prefect_ are alarmed for her safety. The _Prefect_ has a brother in Paris. To his protection it is decided that _Linda_ shall go with her Savoyard friends, who even now are preparing to depart.