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Synopsis:

Act I: California, 1850. Minnie is a lively and energetic girl who runs the Polka, a tavern frequented by miners working nearby: everyone is in love with her and frequents the tavern to drink and play cards. Even Sheriff Jack Rance loves her and declares his love, but the girl does not reciprocate. A stranger arrives, Dick Johnson, whom Minnie realises she has met before; the two fall in love. Meanwhile, the miners leave and go in search of a gang of criminals led by Ramerrez, while Minnie and Dick remain alone, declaring their love for each other.

Act II: The miners and the sheriff warn Minnie that the stranger is actually the bandit Ramerrez, who has come to the saloon to steal the miners’ gold. Outraged, Minnie kicks Dick Johnson out, and he is shot by the sheriff. Minnie, moved to pity and at the same time in love, hides him in her cabin, but he is found by Jack Rance. The girl proposes a deal to the sheriff: a game of poker; if he wins, he will have both her and the bandit. Minnie cheats, so her man is saved.

Act III: Dick Johnson is determined to abandon his life as an outlaw and tries to cover his tracks, but unfortunately the miners find him and prepare to hang him. Minnie tries to persuade the miners to spare the life of her beloved, who is ready to die, by recalling the moments they shared in the tavern. The miners are moved and release him, so the two lovers leave to start a new life together.