Giordano's Andrea Chénier (1896) is a fiery verisimo work very loosely based on the life and writings of a French poet who was guillotined during the French Revolution. The opera excitingly depicts the excesses of the French aristocracy, the idealism of the revolutionaries in their dreams of freedom, equality, and brotherhood, and the excesses of blood lust that ended the Revolution. The musical language is strongly post-Romantic, with gorgeous lyricism, fervent declamatory arias, and crashingly ominous passages depicting the crowds and tribunals that sent so many to their deaths. All of the characters are strongly drawn, from Chénier, the fervent supporter of the ideals of the Revolution, Maddalena, the formerly frivolous aristocrat, and Gérard, the lackey who became a Revolutionary leader, to the bit parts of the vindictive tribunal judges and members of the crowd.

The tale set against this backdrop is a love story between Chénier and Maddalena. Gérard is in love with Maddalena; in order to get her for himself, he has Chénier arrested. The aria in which he makes this fateful decision is one of the most dramatic in the baritone repertoire: He cynically writes the accusations he knows to be false, then remembers how Chénier himself inspired his now-tarnished revolutionary zeal. Upon learning of Chénier's arrest, Maddalena comes to Gérard for help, telling him of the death of her mother, the loss of her home, and how Chénier's love transformed her life. Though Gérard tries to save Chénier, the hero is condemned at the the corrupt trial, and Maddalena joins him in the prison so that they can die together.

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