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Act One
Vitellia, daughter of murdered Emperor Vitellius, is plotting her revenge. She instructs Sesto, who is madly in love with her, to assassinate the new Roman ruler Tito, whose father had Vitellius killed. However, the plot still hangs in the balance. Vitellia accuses Sesto of stalling. In fact, Sesto is a close friend of Tito’s, whom he also considers a valued benefactor and supporter. Sesto guesses the true reason for Vitellia’s anger: Vitellia is jealous, because Tito intends to marry another woman, Berenice. When Vitellia threatens to deprive Sesto of her love, he finally capitulates. He promises to carry out whatever Vitellia asks of him.
Sesto’s friend Annio enters and informs them that Tito has broken off his engagement to Berenice, a foreigner, who did not find favour with the Senate. Vitellia is emboldened and instructs Sesto to delay proceeding with their plan. When Sesto suspects that Vitellia is merely using him for her own ends, she astutely allays his fears.
Annio is in love with Sesto’s sister Servilia and asks him to put in a good word for him with Tito so the marriage will be approved. When Annio and Sesto appear before Tito, Tito is the first to speak. As a gesture of goodwill towards the people and as sign of his close relationship with Sesto, he reveals his intention to marry Servilia. Sesto finds himself in an awkward position. Annio, utterly aghast, does not have the courage to argue against the ruler’s wishes or resist his plans. However, when Servilia learns of the proposed marriage, she is firmly opposed. She seeks Tito out and tells him of her love for Annio. Tito is delighted to have at last found an honest person among his entourage and waives his marriage entitlement.
Vitellia knows nothing of the recent developments and views Servilia as her new rival. She believes that Tito has humiliated her once again and condemned her to a life of insignificance. Vitellia compels Sesto, whom she accuses of cowardice, to set fire to the Capitol and murder Tito. However, when Vitellia later learns from Annio and Tito’s closest assistant Publio that she herself is Tito’s chosen bride it is too late. The city is already in uproar and Vitellia can no longer call Sesto off. Finding Sesto distraught a short time later, he informs her of Tito’s murder. Vitellia, whose primary concern is for her own survival, is barely able to prevent him from handing himself in. Rome mourns the death of its emperor.
Act Two
Annio tells a sceptical Sesto that the would-be assassin killed another man and that Tito survived unharmed. Sesto, tormented by his guilty conscience, confesses to Annio that he is behind the uprising. Annio wants to prevent Sesto from fleeing and persuades him to admit his guilt to Tito as a sign of remorse. Vitellia, however, urges Sesto to flee, fearing that he would otherwise betray her. Publio enters and has Sesto arrested, now the chief suspect.
Tito waits impatiently for the result of Sesto’s interrogation in the Senate. He cannot believe that his friend would have betrayed him. Publio warns Tito not to be too trusting. Presently, Publio announces the findings of the investigation in the Senate. Sesto has confessed and will be sentenced to death. All that is required is Tito’s signature. Annio, who heard Publio’s announcement, begs Tito to pardon his friend. Although Tito is deeply disappointed, he wishes to speak with Sesto in private. Still Sesto, wanting to avoid betraying Vitellia at all costs, does not reveal any further clues which might help determine a motive. He merely maintains his guilt and grieves the breakdown of their friendship. Furious, Tito orders Sesto to be led to his execution. Now alone, Tito wrestles with his conscience. Should he stay true to his policy of compassion and spare a friend or ruthlessly adhere to the demands of the law in cases of high treason? Annio and Servilia try desperately to persuade Vitellia, as Tito’s new bride, to advocate for Sesto. Vitellia gradually realises that she would forever harbour guilt for Sesto’s death. Even the prospect of marrying Tito leaves a stale taste in her mouth. She decides to tell Tito everything.
The Romans wait for Sesto’s public execution. When Tito is about to announce Sesto’s sentence, Vitellia interrupts him, confessing that it was she who encouraged Sesto to carry out the murder. Tito, feeling betrayed by everyone, is nonetheless merciful. He exonerates Vitellia and pardons Sesto as well.
