Clotilde
The priestess Norma loves Pollione, leader of the occupying force suppressing her people, and has borne two children by him. But Pollione’s love has withered, and he now loves Norma’s fellow priestess Adalgisa. Meanwhile, the people urgently look to Norma to lead their rebellion. Norma discovers the love between Pollione and Adalgisa. Furiously she gives the signal for war. Pollione is captured, attempting to steal away with Adalgisa. Norma, called upon to announce a sacrificial victim to consecrate the uprising, declares it shall be a guilty priestess: herself.
Clotilde
갈리아 지방의 수장 오로베소는 지방을 점령한 로마군에게 항거해 전쟁을 일으키고자 한다. 그러나 그녀의 딸 노르마는 비밀리에 로마군 사령관 폴리오네와 사랑에 빠져 두 아이까지 둔 상태로 아직 신의 계시가 내리지 않았다며 전쟁을 연기시킨다. 이 사실을 모르는 폴리오네는 젊은 여사제 아달지사와 사랑에 빠져 함께 로마로 돌아갈 계획을 세운다. 결국 노르마가 둘의 관계를 알게 되고 폴리오네는 오로베소에게 붙잡힌다.
Anna
Nabucco, King of Babylon, takes Jerusalem in his war with the Israelites – but his daughter Fenena loves the Israelite Ismaele. She releases their prisoners, leading her vengeful half-sister Abigaille to plot to take power. Nabucco declares himself a god and is struck by a bolt of lightning. Abigaille tricks the now feeble king into signing a death warrant for the Israelites, including Fenena and Ismaele. Nabucco prays to the God of Israel for forgiveness; his sanity is restored and he saves the prisoners from death. He converts himself and his people, while Abigaille commits suicide.
Frasquita
The young soldier Don José intends to marry Micaëla, a girl from his home village. But when he meets the sensual and high-spirited Carmen, he sacrifices everything to be with her. Carmen grows tired of Don José and falls in love with the toreador Escamillo. Unable to bear her leaving him, Don José tracks Carmen down to a bullring where Escamillo is fighting and murders her.
