SCENA II
Giuseppe reviews the documents handed down by their father to assess the properties they’ve inherited. Among some land, he discovers a palace located in the upper part of Bergamo and seems to have an idea. Marco asks him what he is thinking, and Giuseppe reveals his plan to use the inherited palace to establish a fashionable enterprise, following the example of what is happening in Venice.
SCENA IV
The mayor and the captain of Bergamo, Pietro Pisani and Giulio Donado, walk to the newly constructed theatre from the back of the audience. They inspect it to ensure its safety and seem impressed with the new project. After inspecting the site, they declare it secure and document their findings before leaving.
SCENA VI
An elegant and shadowy figure approaches the two brothers and hands them a letter. They ask him who he is.
The figure introduces himself as the Sacred Mount of Pawns, an ancient charitable institution that offers loans to the poor. It is located next to the theatre. He laments that they are struggling to find a treasurer, and that the construction of the theatre is obstructing their work. He warns the brothers not to bring operas to the city because of their immorality and distance from virtue.
Giuseppe replies that the theatre is nearly complete and he won’t back down from his project. He asks the Sacred Mount to leave. The Sacred Mount warns them that he will not overlook this issue and leaves.
Afterwards, Giuseppe reads aloud the letter the Sacred Mount presented to the city, asking for the construction to stop as it interferes with the pawnshop’s activity. Giuseppe is infuriated, and Marco is confused. The brothers realise they will face trouble with both the construction and the running of the theatre, and they begin thinking of how to handle the situation.
SCENA II
Giuseppe and Marco arrive during the rehearsal and watch without interrupting. The musicians stop when they notice the brothers' presence. Scappi introduces them to the company, and they briefly discuss how the rehearsals are progressing. While Giuseppe mentions the issue with the Sacred Mount, the ritornello of the character is heard, and the conversation halts.
SCENA III
The Sacred Mount enters and introduces himself to Scappi. Giuseppe sarcastically remarks on the Sacred Mount’s request for the theatre to be closed. The Sacred Mount, once again, warns them of the dangers and immorality of theatre, suggesting that criminals could take advantage of the city gates being opened during performances to commit crimes.
Giuseppe, angered, replies that the Sacred Mount is slandering his theatre, while Scappi comments that it’s nothing new for Bergamo to have issues with theatres. He adds that he tried to establish one himself, only to have it dismantled. Marco is deeply worried. Scappi offers his full support to the brothers.
Giuseppe concludes by stating that the premiere of Clearco in Negroponte will take place in a few days, and it will be an important event for the city and its citizens, despite the slanders of the Sacred Mount.
SCENA IV
The theatre curtains are closed.
Giuseppe steps in front of the curtains to introduce the premiere of Clearco in Negroponte. After his speech, the lights go out, and the opera begins.
But suddenly, in the middle of an aria, the lights turn on, and everyone stops playing in surprise.
From the back of the audience, the Sacred Mount enters, accompanied by a policeman. The policeman informs the audience that the opera cannot proceed due to uncertainty regarding the safety of the building.
Giuseppe replies that this is impossible, as they have documents proving the building’s safety. The policeman responds that further checks need to be made.
The City, who is in the audience, approaches the policeman and the Sacred Mount and defends the theatre.
Giuseppe thanks the City, and while asking the audience to leave, he reassures them that the theatre will reopen soon.
SCENA V
The two brothers, Scappi, and the Sacred Mount meet around a table to discuss their dispute. The Sacred Mount initially believes the brothers have accepted his requests, but Giuseppe denies any discussion about closing the theatre.
The Sacred Mount then informs them that the case has been submitted to the judges in Venice. Giuseppe laughs at the Sacred Mount’s confidence in the outcome of the case and tells him to leave, as there’s nothing more to discuss.
SCENA VII
The final rehearsals of Tullio Ostilio take place the day before the performance.
A musician, somewhat annoyed, asks Scappi if the premiere will go ahead the next day. Scappi replies that the opening is still uncertain, as they are waiting for news from Venice. There is a tense atmosphere.
The rehearsals continue.
SCENA VIII
Giuseppe and Marco arrive at the rehearsal, but they still haven’t received confirmation about the theatre’s opening. They assure the musicians that they will have an answer by the next morning and try to keep up morale.
The musicians rehearse one last aria and then leave, and Scappi also exits.
SCENA X
The Sacred Mount enters the theatre and joins the wait, insinuating that the news will be in his favour.
After a long wait, gentle music is heard, and the City enters. Everyone becomes excited and nervous, expecting to hear some news. The City asks for silence and speaks first to the brothers, praising them, and then to the Sacred Mount, blaming him.
Finally, the City takes out a document and opens it.
She announces that the only document received from Venice requires the brothers to remove all wooden parts from the theatre. This means the theatre can remain open.
Giuseppe reads the document aloud, and the two brothers, happy and incredulous, embrace.