Act I

Don Magnifico’s house
Angelina is making coffee for her spoiled stepsisters, Clorinda and Tisbe, while singing a sentimental song about a king who chose a poor girl for his bride instead of a lady of high station. The sisters are shushing her when they are interrupted by a visitor, Alidoro, a mentor of Don Ramiro. He is disguised as a beggar and is there to test the character of these unmarried women because the prince is seeking a bride. Clorinda and Tisbe dismiss him, but Cenerentola offers him food, causing a tirade from the sisters. Courtiers arrive to announce that the prince will visit the house shortly. At this, the sisters raise such a clamor that they wake their father, Don Magnifico, Baron of Montefiascone. He scolds his noisy daughters for having interrupted his wondrous dream. All leave to prepare for the prince’s visit.

Don Ramiro arrives disguised as his valet, and Angelina is much surprised to find the handsome young man in the house. It is love at first sight for Angelina and the prince, but the stepsisters, who demand that Angelina wait on them immediately, rudely interrupt them.

The courtiers return, heralding the arrival of Dandini, the prince’s valet in disguise as his master, who invites the family to join him that evening at the palace. Angelina begs her stepfather to allow her to attend, but he refuses. Alidoro, now in his true role as the prince’s mentor, announces that there are three daughters in this family. Magnifico tells him that the third has died; Angelina is passed off as a serving girl. When the royal party departs, Angelina is comforted by Alidoro.

Act II

Scene 1: Don Ramiro’s palace
Dandini, still posing as the prince, escorts the two sisters into the royal country house and offers Magnifico a tour of the wine cellar, hoping to get him drunk. Dandini disentangles himself from the sisters and says he will see them later. 

Scene 2: The Royal Wine Cellar
In the wine cellar, Don Magnifico has been raised to the position of Head of the Royal Wine Cellars.  Magnifico dictates his orders as befits his new position.  Looking forward to the feast, he and his attendants leave.

Scene 3: Don Ramiro’s palace
Clorinda and Tisbe pursue “Prince” Dandini desperately through the palace. Facetiously he points out that he can marry only one of them and offers his valet as a consolation prize. Both sisters refuse to even consider it.

The sudden arrival of a mysterious lady in a beautiful gown with Alidoro gets everyone’s attention. “Prince” Dandini begs the lady to remove her veil, and when she does the two sisters and later their father think she looks suspiciously like Angelina. Everyone else knows at once that this unknown beauty is the girl the prince should marry. Dinner is announced, and the tension rises.      

Act III

Scene 1: The Garden in Don Ramiro’s palace
Dandini has fallen in love with the unknown lady and proposes marriage, but she tells him that she is in love with his valet. Ramiro, who has been eavesdropping, appears and asks her to marry him. She answers that he must first discover who she really is. She gives him one of her matching bracelets so that he can identify her. 

Magnifico, who still believes Dandini is the Prince insists that “his Majesty” decide which daughter to marry. Dandini confesses to Magnifico that he is only a valet and unable to marry his daughters.  When Magnifico turns indignant, Dandini orders him out of the palace.  

Scene 2: Don Magnifico’s house
The sisters and Don Magnifico come home and glare at Angelina, who so closely resembles the lady who cost them the admiration of the prince.

A storm rages outside the house. The prince and Dandini seek shelter at the house, as their carriage was disabled in the storm. Angelina is ordered to bring a chair for the prince. Ramiro sees her bracelet, and all disguises begin to unravel. The sisters and Magnifico belittle Angelina, which arouses the displeasure of the prince, but his anger is assuaged by Angelina’s plea on their behalf. 

Scene 3: The throne room of the palace
All is well for the prince and Angelina, who are very much in love and are married. The baron and his daughters still await their obviously impending and deserved punishment, but Angelina assures them that all their cruelties have been forgiven.  Goodness is triumphant!