
Set in the bustling heart of Rome on a sweltering June day in 1800, this five‑act drama unfolds against the grand backdrop of Saint‑Andrew’s Jesuit church, its marble pillars and gilded decorations echoing the city’s timeless splendor. The story centers on a celebrated painter, a passionate lover, and a ruthless police chief, whose intersecting ambitions pull the audience into a web of art, romance, and political intrigue.
The opening act introduces us to the quiet corners of the sanctuary, where a sleepy sacristan is roused by his colleague’s ringing keys. Their banter reveals the painter’s controversial reputation—a former Parisian who now works in secret, his loyalties questioned by a suspicious priest. As whispers of conspiracies and forbidden desires surface, the stage is set for a clash between personal devotion and the looming threat of authoritarian power, promising tension and drama that will reverberate through the ensuing acts.
Language
fr
Duration
~2 hours (153K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Produced by Chuck Greif
Release date
2006-10-14
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

1831–1908
A master of the well-made play, this French dramatist built suspense with clockwork precision and wrote hit stage works that captivated 19th-century audiences. His plays helped shape popular theater in France and beyond, especially through memorable roles created for stars like Sarah Bernhardt.
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