Laurencia

Act one

In the Spanish village of Fuente Ovejuna, everyone is waiting for the Commander’s return. The campaign was successful and the villagers hope that the Commander will be kind. Laurencia teases Frondoso, who is in love with her. Mengo the fiddler arrives and Pasquala encourages the young people to dance. The returning Commander barely notices the greetings. Ordering everyone to disperse, he keeps only Laurencia, but Pascuala refuses to leave her friend. When the Commander makes advances towards Laurencia, she rejects him. In anger, he orders the soldiers to take Laurencia and Pasquala to his castle, but the girls manage to escape.
Frondoso confesses his feelings to Laurencia, but she responds evasively. Suddenly, the Commander appears and tries to kiss Laurencia. Frondoso fearlessly confronts the Commander. The Commander swears to take revenge on both of them.
By the stream, the girls are busy washing clothes and chatting with Mengo. Jacinta runs in, chased by soldiers. Mengo intervenes to protect Jacinta, but the soldiers knock him down. The Commander returns and orders his soldiers to take Jacinta, who had asked for his protection.
Laurencia, seeing Frondoso’s bravery and loyalty, agrees to become his wife.

Act two

The wedding of Laurencia and Frondoso. The arrival of the Commander interrupts the celebration. He orders Frondoso to be taken to prison and Laurencia to his castle. Fear and outrage grip the people.
At night, the men gather in the forest. They realize they must fight the tyrant, but they are too scared to do more than utter curses. Exhausted and staggering, but full of resolve, Laurencia enters. She rebukes the men for their inaction and urges them to fight.
Armed with knives, sickles, and sticks, the people storm the castle. After freeing Frondoso, they pursue the Commander. Captured by the peasant women, he offers them gold for his freedom, but they refuse. The helmet of the slain tyrant, placed on a pike, symbolizes the victory of the people of Fuente Ovejuna.