 Romero (the President of the Royal Madrid Brigandage Association) and his group of bandits lie in wait to ambush travelers, including Alvarado and Dolores, the ward of the Duke of Santa Cruz.The Duke, who plans to wed his ward, has come to his castle to avoid the leading baritone of the Madrid Opera who has wooed and won the heart of his Dolores by singing her a serenade.The Duke is unaware that Alvarado is the singer.