Béatrice et Bénédict by Hector Berlioz

The people of Messina, in Sicily, gather to welcome home the victorious army of their prince, Don Pedro. The governor’s daughter, Hero is keenly awaiting her beloved, Claudio. They are to be married that evening.

When Hero’s cousin, Beatrice, encounters Claudio’s comrade in arms, Benedict, the two fall back into their familiar argumentative relationship, bickering and joking with one another.

Benedict thinks Claudio is a fool to leave behind the free life of a bachelor and swears he will never marry. His friends, however, are plotting to change his mind. When Benedict overhears a staged conversation between Leonato, Claudio and Pedro, talking of Beatrice’s infatuation for Benedict, he admits to himself that he does indeed love her.

Hero and her friend Ursula play the same trick on Beatrice, letting her overhear them gossiping about how Benedict is in love with her. Beatrice, in turn, must acknowledge her true feelings, although she, too, is reluctant to give up her freedom.

At the wedding, Beatrice and Benedict continue to spar, but when the notary asks if another couple wishes to marry, they admit their true feelings and sign their marriage contract – with the  caveat that the “merry war” between them may continue tomorrow.