La Clemenza di Tito (1996)

Vitellia, daughter of the deposed emperor Vitellius, is determined to regain power for her dynasty by marrying Titus, the new emperor, whom she loves. Hearing that Titus is to marry Berenice, she persuades his friend Sextus (who is desperately in love with her) to kill the emperor and burn the Capitol.

Sextus is spared from having to carry out his promise when Titus announces that he has rejected Berenice because his choice was unpopular with the Senate and the people of Rome. But when Titus then chooses Sextus’s sister Servilia instead, Vitellia renews her demands on Sextus for murder and arson.

Since she is already betrothed to Annius, Servilia appeals to the emperor, who allows her to marry her beloved. Vitellia’s plot, however, has already been set in motion, and before she can call Sextus back once again, the Capitol is burning, and the murder of the emperor is announced.

Titus has escaped assassination. Sextus confesses his guilt to Annius, who persuades him that since no plot has yet been uncovered, he need not flee from Rome.

Vitellia begs him to leave, fearing that he may confess to the merciful Titus himself and thus betray her part in the conspiracy. It is too late; his accomplices have named Sextus, and he is arrested. Vitellia can only think of the trial to come, where she is certain to be exposed and lose her chance to regain the throne.

Sextus remains silent and is condemned to death by the Senate, while Titus names Vitellia as consort. Titus questions Sextus alone, hoping to discover some reason to grant him a pardon. Sextus assures Titus that his motive was not treasonous, but refuses to say why he acted — or for whom.

Titus, changing from friend to judge, signs the death warrant. Vitellia’s conscience begins to overcome her as she contemplates the death of the man who, out of love for her, would have killed the emperor who is now her husband-to-be.

She confesses everything to Titus before Sextus can be executed. Titus, who would have pardoned Sextus for his terrible crimes, now confronts an even greater one. He is determined to show the constancy of his mercy and absolves them, declaring that true repentance is worth more than constant fidelity.