Act I: Riposa. Tutte, in suo dolor vegliante-Montserrat Caballé/Maja Sunara/Giuseppe Verdi

Act 1: A Life for a Life Scene 1: The main square of Lima,Alvaro announces that, due to his age and infirmity, he is relinquishing the governorship and handing it over to his son, Gusmano who states that his first act will be to secure peace with the Incas. Ataliba gives him his support, but advises him that his daughter Alzira is not yet ready to marry Gusmano. He, while understanding (Eterna la memoria / ""The eternal memory of a desperate love is weighing her down ...""), urges the older man to try to persuade her (Quanto un mortal può chiedere / ""Whatever a mortal man can ask for.."")Scene 2: Ataliba's apartments in the governor's palace, As her father enters, Alzira wakes but is still half dreaming of Zamoro. She recounts a more disturbing dream she has had of Gusmano (Da Gusman sul fragil barca / ""I was fleeing from Gusman in a frail boat"") but, although he is dead, she still believes that Zamoro loves her: Nell'astro che più fulgido / ""On the star that gleams most brightly ... there lives Zamoro"". Ataliba continues to try to persuade Alzira to marry Gusmano, without success, until suddenly Zamoro enters. Believing that it is his ghost, Alzira is skeptical, but realizes that he is still alive. They pledge their love together: Risorge ne' tuoi lumi l'astro de' giorni miei! / ""The star of my existence has risen again in your eyes!"".Gusmano enters, sees the couple together, and orders that Zamoro be arrested and immediately executed. There follows the sextet Nella polve genuflesso in which each of the characters expresses his/her feelings: ""Alvaro begs his son to show mercy; Gusman remains obdurate but uneasy, Alzira. ... ., laments the passing of her short-lived happiness; Zamoro expresses his faith in her constancy; Zuma and Ataliba their despair""As the Inca invasion of Lima is announced, Alvaro confirms that Zamoro has saved him from certain death; Gusmano orders him to be freed to go out to fight with the invading Incas: ""I shall meet you in battle, hated rival.