First meeting with Borgia Scene 1 - 3

Scene 7 alternatively the opera could start here: SCENE 1

June 22, 1502
Machiavelli and Soderini (Bishop of Volterra) arrive at Pontasieve after a day of full tilt riding. They are informed by a fleeing priest that the man they wish to speak to, Cesare Borgia, son of Pope Alexander VI and leader of the papal army, has suddenly and dramatically deviated from his advance into Florentine territory and seized the strategically vital city of Urbino, without losing a single man. No one knows for certain what has happened; some say that the Duke of Urbino has fled, others that he has been taken prisoner, others still that he has been killed. On one thing were all agreed, that Borgia has gained possession of the city by treachery.

Borgia had appealed to the city's ruler Guidobaldo da Montefeltro, for help in conquering Camerino, then he promptly invaded Urbino with 2000 Spanish mercenaries after the hapless Guidobaldo faithfully sent along his artillery to besiege Camerino.

Machiavelli writes a dispatch to the Signoria in Florence: "Your lordships should take note of this stratagem, as well as his combination of remarkable speed and extraordinary good fortune. He installs himself in someone else's house before anyone has noticed it. The Duke of Urbino's death was reported before he was even known to be ill."

Scene 8 (SCENE 2)
Riding furiously, Machiavelli & Soderini reached Urbino two days later, shortly after dark. Borgia had already heard that they were on their way and ordered that they be brought immediately to see him, giving the emissaries no time to prepare themselves, or even change from their worn sweat-soiled riding clothes. In the darkness they are hustled through the courtyard up the stairs in the ducal palace, where Borgia has now taken residence. The doors behind them are bolted with armed sentries posted outside.

Machiavelli sings of Borgia's murderous reputation, his battle-hardened army, the backing of his father Pope Alexander and the support of Louis XII of France. Borgia has "made Florence tremble and Rome weep" and is liable to do anything. He is a man who acts on impulse, who judges people intuitively (with an almost animal cunning - would Mach say that?) A brilliant mind utterly attuned to power and the strategy to gain power.

By the light of a single flickering candle which showed only dimly the tall figure clad in black from head to foot without ornament or jewel, the still white features as regular as a Greek statue.

Borgia: I am not pleased with your government. How can I trust you, how can I be sure you will not attack me? You must change your government (bring back Piero de' Medici) and pledge to support me with money, with troops- for I have no intention of letting this state of affairs to continue. If you do not want me as a friend, you will find me your enemy! There can be no middle way (la via di mezzo)

His two commanders Paolo & Giulio Orsini, join in from the shadows, intimating that Florence's ally, Louis XII was behind Borgia's recent predations on Florentine territory. Florence is broke, without an army, without a friend.

(Strathern suggests that Machiavelli as a way of gaining time, offers Borgia the services of Leonardo (military engineer) who was resident in Florence.

Borgia gives Florence 4 days to respond to his ultimatum.

Scene 9 alternatively the opera could start here: SCENE 3
The Signoria

Chorus: The Structure of Florence's government

Machiavelli: The lord is truly splendid and magnificent, and in war there is no enterprise so great that it does not seem small to him, the the pursuit of glory and territory he is unceasing and knows neither danger or fatigue. He arrives at a place before anyone is aware that he has left the place he was before. He is beloved by his soldiers and he has in his service the best men in Italy. All this makes him victorious and formidable, particularly in the light of his constant good fortune.

Chorus: Watch him, dog his every step, the man is dangerous

Machiavelli: But Borgia's demands don't add up, this is a bluff

Chorus: Watch him, dog his every step, the man is dangerous

Machiavelli: Look, the French lancers have arrived. Borgia's demands don't add up, this is a bluff

Chorus: Watch him, dog his every step, the man is dangerous