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The opera is set in Venice in 1457, at the end of the long rule of Doge Francesco Foscari. Foscari’s sons are now dead except for Jacopo, who has long been exiled for treason and collusion in the murder of a former member of the Council of Ten. Jacopo has been brought back to Venice for further trial by the Council, accused of forbidden communications with a rival power, the Duke of Milan. Jacopo hopes to prove his innocence. Prominent among the Doge’s enemies is Jacopo Loredano, son of a political rival whom Francesco Foscari was rumoured to have had poisoned. He is gloating at the prospect of retribution on the House of Foscari.

Act I

The Doge’s Palace

The Council of Ten and the Giunta gather. Barbarigo, a senator, announces that the Doge is waiting for them in the Council Chamber. Jacopo Foscari arrives from his prison for an audience with the Council. He is overjoyed to see Venice again (Dal più remoto esilio), but doubts that the Council will treat him with justice (Odio solo, ed odio atroce).

Jacopo’s wife Lucrezia intends to persuade the Doge to save her husband, and prays to God for help (Tu al cui sguardo onnipossente). Lucrezia’s friend Pisana tells her that the Council have sentenced Jacopo to exile. Lucrezia denounces the Council and declares that God will avenge Jacopo (O patrizi, tremate l’Eterno). The Council of Ten confirms that Jacopo will be exiled again, and praise the impartiality of their justice.

Doge Francesco Foscari broods unhappily on his son’s fate but is powerless to help him (O vecchio cor che batti). Lucrezia arrives to plead for her husband. Francesco has nothing but sympathy, but as Doge he must uphold the laws of Venice, so cannot overule the Council. Lucrezia demands that the Doge restore her husband to her and denounces the Council (Tu pur lo sai che giudice). The Doge’s anguish at his impossible position gives Lucrezia hope.

Act II

Scene 1: Prison within the Doge’s Palace

In prison, Jacopo is tormented by a visions of past prisoners in the cells, including Carmagnola, a traitorous mercenary who was executed (Non maledirmi, o prode). Lucrezia arrives and gives Jacopo the news of his return to exile. Husband and wife savour a few minutes together (No, non morrai). The Doge comes to bid his son farewell. Jacopo is comforted by his father’s love (Nel tuo paterno amplesso), but the Doge still feels that his duty to the state must override his paternal feelings. Loredano comes to prepare Jacopo for his return to exile in Crete. He is contemptuous of the Foscaris’ grief, and refuses to allow Lucrezia and her children to accompany Jacopo into exile.

Scene 2: The Hall of the Council of Ten

The Council confirms Jacopo’s crimes of murder and treason and his exile. Jacopo continues to plead his innocence. His father urges him to accept his fate.

Lucrezia enters with her children to plead for mercy one final time (Queste innocent lagrime). The Council is adamant: Jacopo must return alone to exile. Jacopo has a premonition of his death.

Act III

Scene 1: The piazzetta of San Marco

The people are celebrating a festival, in contrast to the Doge’s sorrow. Jacopo says goodbye to Lucrezia and their children (All’infelice veglio) and urges them to remain stoic. Loredano rejoices as Jacopo is led away.

The Doge mourns his family’s fate: he has lost three sons and may never see the fourth again. Barbarigo hurries in with evidence that proves Jacopo is indeed innocent of murder. But it is too late – Lucrezia comes to tell the Doge that his son died on leaving Venice. She curses Jacopo’s persecutors (Più non vive!).

Scene 2: The Doge’s Palace

Loredano leads in the other members of the Council, who demand the Doge’s resignation. Foscari reminds them that they refused twice in the past to allow him to abdicate: he was even forced to swear an oath that he would remain Doge until his death. He demands that the Council returns his son to him (Questa dunque è l’iniqua mercede). The Council remains unmoved and they seize his robes and symbols of office. As the bells of San Marco ring out for his successor, Francesco Foscari collapses, dead.

- With thanks to the Royal Opera House