Leonora, daughter of the Marchese of Calatrava, loves the mestizo Don Alvaro against her father's wishes. The couple plans their escape, in the course of which the Marchese is unintentionally killed. Leonora's brother Don Carlo wants to avenge their father and pursues the couple. Alvaro is separated from his beloved during the escape and, like Carlo, enters military service under a false name as a captain. He is wounded and asks the supposed friend to destroy a letter in case of his death. When the suspicious Carlo discovers the true identity of his comrade, he challenges him to a duel, which ends in a draw. Alvaro flees again and enters the monastery that Leonora had previously visited. Fate strikes again: Carlo finds Alvaro and another fight takes place in front of Leonora's hermitage. Carlo is mortally wounded and stabs his sister with his last strength. Alvaro follows his beloved to her death.
