The story, which takes place in the mid-seventeenth century between the Mendrisio region and the Duchy of Milan, is based on the ancient legend of the misdeeds of a wicked nobleman who was a necromancer and a misogynistic kidnapper who used to take advantage of young girls; on the other side, the young Maddalena is one of his victims but also the only one capable of interrupting his crimes.

The man is renowned as the Mago (Wizard) of Cantone, but his real name is Francesco Secco Borella. He lives in an old palace on the slopes of Monte San Giorgio in Ticino, still called Castello del Mago di Cantone today. Helped by his henchmen, he kidnaps young girls, locks them in a cave and, after mysterious magical rituals, kills them.

Prologue

The opera begins with the 1659 Good Friday procession. While the sacred litanies are sung, a woman addresses the statue of the Virgin Mary, remembering her dead parents: she is Maddalena.

ACT I

I. Scene 1

With a thirty-years-leap back in time, a black-cloaked man is giving orders to a group of brigands in the meadows of San Martino: he is the Mago di Cantone and is choosing his next victim, whom he identifies as the young peasant Lena Bernasconi.

I. Scene 2

Two lovers meet and exchange effusions: they are Antonio Secco Borella, an elegant and silent young man, new in the area, but also a frequent visitor to the local nobility’s hangouts, and Barbara de Buziis, the young and beautiful daughter of one of the village most important family. Although the two are in love, they are worried because Antonio is misbelieved by the local nobility to be the mysterious girls’ kidnapper.

I. Scene 3

As the noble families of the village disapprove of the love between Barbara and Antonio, they convince the lover of the wizard’s latest victim (Lena) to kill Antonio. The name of the killer is Tonio, a young servant. After the killing, Barbara weeps over the dead body of her beloved Antonio and reveals a secret: she is with child.

I. Scene 4

Barbara gives birth to a girl and names her Maddalena. However, the baby is in danger: the local nobles plot to kill the fruit of the clandestine love between a noblewoman and someone believed to be a criminal. Nevertheless, Barbara is determined not to leave her little girl at the wheel of a convent, nor is frightened by the local nobles, and proudly takes her to the baptismal font and has her baptized.

I. Scene 5

Lena, having escaped the Mago di Cantone’s cave, is reunited with Tonio, and reveals to him the true identity of the criminal. Antonio recognizes his mistake in having killed Antonio and now needs to escape justice. The two decide to abandon the places haunted by the necromancer and go to the Duchy of Milan. Travel also with them Barbara and the little Maddalena. Time passes by, and Maddalena grows up. Barbara has a new companion, who is an itinerant painter: he is specialized in sacred subjects and often portrays Maddalena often portrays in the role of the Virgin Mary.

I. Scene 6

Maddalena is now sixteen and the secret discovered by Lena during her imprisonment is finally revealed to her: the Mago di Cantone is Francesco Secco Borella, Antonio’s father and therefore Maddalena’s grandfather. The girl, incredulous and full of anger, sets off in search of the criminal, led by a vengeful desire.

I. Scene 7

Almost arriving at the Castle of the necromancer, Maddalena is kidnapped and imprisoned. Her grandfather, despite being aware of their blood relationship, is ready to kill her, nevertheless, he realizes that he cannot. The girl stares at him with eyes of fire and hands him a lily: a pure gesture is enough to make the criminal repent. Overwhelmed by remorse for her wrongdoings, the Mago di Cantone turns the dagger intended for Maddalena towards himself.

I. Scene 8

Barbara, Tonio and Lena, who followed her, free Maddalena. It seems like the end of a nightmare that lasted for decades, but a gloomy figure looms in the background, moving away towards the cave called Trii Böcc.

ACT II

II. Scene 1

The Mago di Cantone had a godson and heir: Giovan Battista Ciceri, to whom he taught to hate women. The boy witnesses the scene and rescues his putative father, bringing him to safety. However, the next morning he finds him dead in the valley. The wizard’s ghost sings of his repentance.

II. Scene 2

Maddalena is in the company of a young man: it is Giacomo Storno, with whom she is in love. The two, in the water of a cave, declare their mutual love.

II. Scene 3

Giovan Battista Ciceri wants revenge for the death of his putative father. He turns to the brigands to find Maddalena: to recognize her it will be enough for them to study the many effigies of the Virgin Mary scattered throughout the chapels of the area.

II. Scene 4

Maddalena walks in the woods at night. She is free, strong, passionate, in communion with nature, and she dances: her freedom is overwhelming, uncontainable, however, she is abruptly interrupted, as the brigands kidnap her.

II. Scene 5

Maddalena is locked up in it in the cells of the convent of San Giovanni in Pedemonte in Como, the venue of the Great Inquisition, and she is accused of witchcraft by nobles corrupted by Ciceri.
The inquisitor condemns her to the stake.

II. Scene 6

Maddalena is placed on the stake, and flames surround her while Ciceri rejoices.
Nearby a procession sings a Stabat Mater.

II. Scene 7

Maddalena's mother and lover protest the sentence and cry, but unexpectedly Maddalena reappears: good wins over flames and death.