Maria Vittoria, an orphan, is due to be married to a rich German banker in an arrangement made by her influential Roman foster-father (MARRIAGE CONTRACT). However Maria has fallen in love with another man - Daniel, her tutor (CONFESSION). She causes a scandal at the Vatican (SI SI and SCANDAL) when she scorns her groom-to-be and declares her love for Daniel, a Catholic bishop who has taken a vow of celibacy. Knowing the risk of damnation by the Church, Daniel nevertheless succumbs to his feelings for Maria (YOU ARE MY LOVE). They declare their love, and he takes her away to his home in Heidelberg. There the couple are met by his sister, Anna Regina. She has high hopes for Daniel, and has visions of him as the first German Pope (TRUE BELIEVERS). But Daniel refuses to give up Maria, and Anna Regina feels that she must do something to save him from himself (IF THIS SHOULD FAIL).

When Daniel falls mysteriously ill, neither doctor nor priest is able to wake him from his deep sleep (HOW DO YOU FEEL?). Anna Regina accuses Maria of having cast a spell on her brother, and turns the Inquisition for help. Already looking for someone to blame for an earlier incident when their church was struck by lightning, the townspeople choose Maria for a scapegoat (POSSESSED). They demand her imprisonment for witchcraft. The Inquisitor, Cardinal Gonzaga, arrives from Rome to attempt exorcism on the bishop, and to prosecute his mistress (LITTLE DEVILS). Daniel recovers and learns of Maria's supposed evil- doing. Blinded by rumours, he accuses her at court (SHE DEVIL).

Maria is tortured but steadfastly maintains her innocence (SHE'S GUILTY). Her maid, Giulia, cannot bear to see her suffer, and manages to help her escape from prison (RESCUE). Even though her life is in danger, Maria refuses to flee Heidelberg without first seeing Daniel. She finds him deep in remorse, praying in church for God to spare her life (ALMIGHTY GOD). They are briefly reunited and once again confirm their love for each other (REUNION). But the anger of the townspeople cannot be contained and, as they surround the church, Gonzaga decides to break the sanctuary in order to save Daniel from Maria's spell. He announces that the witch's escape has confirmed her guilt - she must die (BURN THE WITCHES). Will the church or Daniel be able to save her life? (HALLELUJAH).


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