Moscow. Early spring 1775 Count Grigory Grigorievich Orlov due to the fact that he is in the retinue of Empress Catherine, who comes to Moscow, gets the opportunity to see her brother. He catches his brother in drunkenness and all kinds of amusements. Alex flirts with women, the other day he fought with someone. Gregory is ashamed of his brother, and he says that his longing takes, boredom in Moscow, there is nothing for the hero of Chesma. Gregory, on the other hand, believes that Aleksey was early disagreeable — an alarming time, even the air is filled with malice: the more merit, the more enemies. Gregory tells his brother that Catherine has changed to him: she counted minutes before they met, and now she is calm and condescending, even pitying him. And this is the worst of all. Alexey tells him that he is too jealous. Gregory wants to leave so that Catherine remembers him. Report on Lieutenant Martynov. Upon entering, he reports that the Empress asks the Empress to herself, and immediately. Alex leaves.

Cabinet of Catherine. She has Ekaterina Romanovna Dashkova. Her son completed a course in Edinburgh, and she asks permission to spend with him in Europe the time that is needed to complete his education. Catherine is not happy about this, but promises to think. When they report on Alexei Orlov, Dashkova promptly leaves: she does not tolerate this person, since the blood of Catherine’s husband is on him.

Catherine speaks with Orlov about a certain woman who calls herself the daughter of Elizabeth Petrovna from Alexei Razumovsky. She lives in Rome, writes letters to the Sultan, Pope, the Russian fleet, while signing with Elizabeth of All Russia. Catherine is very concerned about this. Pugachev’s uprising has just been crushed, but “the fire under the ashes is still smoldering,” Pugachev had associates and sympathizers in all walks of life. She is afraid that the appearance of this woman might lead to big trouble, so Catherine orders Alexei Orlov to grab her and deliver her here. If you can not do without noise, then it allows you to use the fleet. Alex promises to fulfill everything. In parting, Catherine warns him that the girl, as they say, is very beautiful and has already destroyed many.

Pisa. The house of Lombardi, a wealthy merchant, many guests. Everyone is discussing Elizabeth. She enters with Pietro Boniperti, her secretary, who is madly in love with her and sincerely devoted to her. Everyone considers it his duty to tell her something pleasant, flattering, to somehow support her. Elizabeth thanks everyone and says that she needs friends immensely, as she has lost a lot in her life. Padre Paolo, the Jesuit, warns her that in Pisa Count Orlov. Elizabeth is represented by Carlo Gozzi, who tells her about his plays. Aleksey Orlov and the poet Kustov, a drunkard, whom Orlov sheltered at home, appear. Elizabeth is amazed: she imagined Orlov to others. She feels the long-awaited change in her fate. Boniperti asks her not to tempt fate. Alexey introduces herself to her. Since she wants to talk without witnesses, Elizabeth invites him to her house on Via Kondoti, she says that she is immensely happy. Alexey echoes her.

Elizabeth's house on Via Condotti. Evening. She is waiting for Alexei. Boniperti once again tells her about his feelings and warns that Orlov will not put at stake for everything that he has, as he did once, because then he had nothing to lose. Elizabeth tells him that it’s too late to change anything. Alexey appears. He calls Elizabeth with him, home, promising to help her achieve the throne. Elizabeth, who is sure that Alexey loves her, agrees to go. On the ship, Alex is holding a wedding with the help of disguised sailors. Kustov is trying to shame him. Alexei is furious, and he falls silent. Sailors play the wedding. Elizabeth is sure that they are now married.

Peter-Pavel's Fortress. Prince Golitsyn persuades Elizabeth to think again and confess everything. Elizabeth persists and asks for the audience of the empress. Then Golitsyn hands her over to Sheshkovsky, who is going to torture her. He tells her that Orlov went after her on the orders of Catherine, that there was no wedding, that their mummers were crowned. Elizabeth refuses to believe him.

Hall next to the chambers of Catherine. Catherine permits Dashkova to go to her son. Both remember the past and hope that their next meeting will be happier. When Dashkova leaves, Grigory Orlov appears. He complains and is angry that Catherine did not entrust him with such an important business for her. The empress answers him that he is too kind, and here a firm heart was required. Gregory hints at the inconstancy of Catherine. The same one explains to him that "courage and beauty ... they do not make a husband of a young man." She needs a man capable of great things, because "a great power stagnation is more dangerous than defeat." She advises Gregory to follow Dashkova’s example and go to Europe. Gregory leaves.

Instead, Alexei appears. Catherine blames him that, "separated from the slutty girl," he "fell down from longing." Alexei says that he is already healthy. Catherine orders him to interrogate Elizabeth. Alexey refuses. Then Catherine hits him in the face. As she says, this is a reward to Orlov from her, as from a woman. To reward, as the Empress, she calls Alexei into the inner chambers.

Peter-Pavel's Fortress. Golitsyn tells Elizabeth that Catherine sent a letter refusing her audience and reminds her that if she persists in a lie, she will be brought to the most severe and severe court. Alexey enters. They are left alone. Elizabeth asks him to say that all she heard about him is slander. Alexei does not deny that all this is true. He says that he would become a traitor if he violated the oath and the word given to the empress. Elizabeth is terrified. She does not believe that it is possible to keep the word given to the husband-killer. Elizabeth curses Alexei and chases him away, asking him to tell “to her sovereign” that the human court is not afraid of her, and she is not afraid of God's court, since she is clean before Him. Alex leaves. Elizabeth calls him by name, shouts after him that his child is already breathing in her.

Moscow. House of Alexei Orlov. Both brothers drink and listen to the gypsy singing. Gregory came to say goodbye: he goes to Europe. At first Alexey also wanted to go with him, but now hesitated. Gregory leaves. Alexei drinks everything and says that the imposture of the kingdom destroys. Kustov remembers Elizabeth and says that people are stupid. He is going to leave Orlov. Gypsies sing. Alexey orders them to sing louder. He hears the voice of Elizabeth, who calls him. He sits, looking at one point, covering his ears with his fists.