This is an opera in four acts composed by Umberto Giordano . The story is set in Florence at the time of Lorenzo de'Medici recounts the rivalry between Gianneto Malespini and Neri Chiaramantesi for the affections of the beautiful Ginerva and Gianneto's thirst for revenge over a "cruel joke" played on him by Neri and his brother Gabreillo. The joke ultimately takes Neri to murder Ginerva and by mistake his brother. The opera ends with Neri descent into madness.