SCENE 1 - OUVERTUREStreet actors and cantors of the Thespis’Cart introduce the exploits of Charlemagne and his Paladinos from which comes out Orlando, who is in love with Angelica, the beautiful Saracen daughter of the King of Cathay
SCENE 2 - SIEGE OF PARIS
In a fictitious Paris, Charlemagne is besieged by the Saracen army.
SCENE 3 - THE ESCAPE OF ANGELICA The beautiful Angelica, an unattainable dream for every knight, either Christian or Muslim, escapes from the camp, is chased by Orlando and Gradasso and takes refuge in a thick wood far away.
SCENE 4 - SCENE THE TAVERN AND THE HIPPOGRIFF
In a tavern where everybody is toasting, suddenly the huge winged bird of the Hippogriff descends from the sky, causing confusion and terror.
SCENE 5 - BRADAMANTE AND THE WITCH MELISSA Somewhere else the beautiful Christian woman warrior Bradamante is looking for her beloved Ruggero, who has been imprisoned by the wizard Atlantes. The witch Melissa comes to her aid by giving to her a magic ring
SCENE 6 - THE DUELBradamante faces Atlantes, a powerful wizard who blinds with his shield and fights with a book of magic formulae. But Bradamante owns the ring that breaks spells and so he defeats him. 
SCENE 7 - ATLANTES’ CASTLEIn his castle the wizard Atlantes has imprisoned the invisible shadows of the love of whom has bumped into him. So Bradamante looks for Ruggero among the shadows, finds him and offers him the magic ring… 
SCENE 8 - RUGGERO’S KIDNAPPING
… but the Hippogriff seizes Ruggero and flies away…
SCENE 9 AND 10 - THE ISLAND OF ALCINA AND ASTOLFO’S IMPRISONMENT…towards the luxurious island of the sorceress Alcina. Here the Paladins are languishing among plants and shrubs: in fact they have been charmed by Alcina and Morgana, two old and ugly sorceresses who, under the appearance of beautiful young girls, deceive and cast a spell on unfortunate knights.
SCENE 11 - ON THE ISLAND Astolfo is set free and the two witches are unmasked
SCENE 12 - NIGHT IN A SARACEN CAMPOrlando, hoping to find Angelica, penetrates in the enemy field, disguised as a Saracen. Here he meets Mandricardo and a furious duel starts, soon degenerating… 
SCENE 13 - THE BATTLE…in a furious battle between the Christian and the Saracen army.
SCENE 14 - ORLANDO ALONE IN THE FORESTAfter the confusion of the battle, Orlando is attracted by the quiet of a thick forest. He enters in the forest without knowing that it unfolds a lacerating truth, like a mortal wound: the wood reveals the love between Angelica and the squire Medoro. 
SCENE 15 - ANGELICA AND MEDOROOrlando becomes mad: the moon comes down, twisted like the labyrinth of the mind. 
SCENE 16 - ASTOLFO GOES ON THE MOONIt will be Astolfo, who riding the Hippogriff will take back Orlando’s lost wits, thanks to the help of the witch Melissa. But who is wise and who is mad? 
SCENE 17 - WEDDINGCharlemagne ends the story by announcing the marriage between Bradamante and Ruggero.There is a cheerful song in the end. 