Walt Whitman introduces himself.
He tells of meeting Oscar Wilde in the 1880s when Wilde was lecturing across America.
He then describes what happens to Wilde in the years leading up to his conviction.
Wilde is present and sings of "Sorrow", concluding that "what lies before you is my past".

[Revised version: After the conductor enters the pit, the opera begins with a "curtain speech" by Wilde at the opening night of his 1892 play Lady Windermere's Fan at the height of his fame.]

Scene 1: In the streets of London, 1895
During Wilde's second trial, he is out on bail and looking for a hotel room.
Bosie has left the country, but is present in Wilde's imagination (portrayed silently by a dancer).
Bosie's father, the Marquess of Queensbury, has hired two detectives to warn hoteliers against providing lodging to Wilde.
When Wilde arrives at a hotel, its manager refuses Wilde a room.
This recurs at two other hotels, each somewhat more shabby than the others.
Alone on the street corner, Bosie comes forward, and they say goodbye.
Bosie leaves, whilst Wilde remains alone.

Scenes 2 – 7: In the nursery at the home of the Leversons
Wilde arrives to a welcome from Ada Leverson.
She expresses her feeling that Wilde should ignore Bosie's advice, given out of fear for his father, that he should stay for the sentencing rather than flee to France.
However, she tells him that their friend Frank Harris has a plan to help him escape and will arrive soon.
Meanwhile, as they talk of drink, in Wilde's imagination, Bosie enters, dressed as a waiter.
Bosie and Wilde dance, until Wilde is left alone crying out "Bosie!" –
and then he quickly returns to reality.

Leggatt, the servant, announces Harris' arrival.
Harris and Leverson talk about Wilde, and of how Walt Whitman, "the noblest of Americans", was left in poverty in old age and supported by the English, but Harris notes: "England will not save Oscar Wilde!"
At that, Wilde enters, and Harris describes his plan to transport Wilde to France via yacht, to escape the verdict.
Wilde is reluctant, but Leverson and Harris think that they have persuaded him, and tell Leggatt to send a message to the yacht owner.
As they leave, Bosie appears and dances before Wilde, but disappears as Wilde comes back to reality.
When Harris and Leverson return, Wilde declares that he cannot flee: "All that is not for me, for I know that it is nobler and more beautiful to stay for this Cause".
Sadly, Harris leaves, pledging his support.

Whitman appears alone, asking "Why is it that a man runs to his own ruin?".
Wilde is revealed at his desk, writing a letter to Bosie.
Whitman reads the letter out loud as Bosie appears, who dances simultaneously.
Whitman then leaves and Bosie remains standing as Wilde extols Bosie's virtues: "You are the atmosphere of beauty through which I see life; you are the incarnation of all lovely things....My sweet rose!"
At that moment, breaking into Wilde's fantasy, Queensbury's men enter and order Bosie to leave England, and torment Wilde, who reacts with fury: "the Oscar Wilde rule is to shoot on sight!"
Wilde attacks the detectives, then his fantasy subsides and he is in despair.

In the trial scene, the nursery transforms into the courtroom and the toys become the personages at the trial.
Wilde is convicted of gross indecency and sentenced to two years' hard labour.
Walt Whitman introduces himself. He tells of meeting Oscar Wilde in the 1880s when Wilde was lecturing across America. He then describes what happens to Wilde in the years leading up to his conviction. Wilde is present and sings of "Sorrow", concluding that "what lies before you is my past".
[Revised version: After the conductor enters the pit, the opera begins with a "curtain speech" by Wilde at the opening night of his 1892 play Lady Windermere's Fan at the height of his fame.]
Scene 1: In the streets of London, 1895
During Wilde's second trial, he is out on bail and looking for a hotel room. Bosie has left the country, but is present in Wilde's imagination (portrayed silently by a dancer). Bosie's father, the Marquess of Queensbury, has hired two detectives to warn hoteliers against providing lodging to Wilde. When Wilde arrives at a hotel, its manager refuses Wilde a room. This recurs at two other hotels, each somewhat more shabby than the others. Alone on the street corner, Bosie comes forward, and they say goodbye. Bosie leaves, whilst Wilde remains alone.
Scenes 2 – 7: In the nursery at the home of the Leversons
Wilde arrives to a welcome from Ada Leverson. She expresses her feeling that Wilde should ignore Bosie's advice, given out of fear for his father, that he should stay for the sentencing rather than flee to France. However, she tells him that their friend Frank Harris has a plan to help him escape and will arrive soon. Meanwhile, as they talk of drink, in Wilde's imagination, Bosie enters, dressed as a waiter. Bosie and Wilde dance, until Wilde is left alone crying out "Bosie!" – and then he quickly returns to reality.
Leggatt, the servant, announces Harris' arrival. Harris and Leverson talk about Wilde, and of how Walt Whitman, "the noblest of Americans", was left in poverty in old age and supported by the English, but Harris notes: "England will not save Oscar Wilde!" At that, Wilde enters, and Harris describes his plan to transport Wilde to France via yacht, to escape the verdict. Wilde is reluctant, but Leverson and Harris think that they have persuaded him, and tell Leggatt to send a message to the yacht owner. As they leave, Bosie appears and dances before Wilde, but disappears as Wilde comes back to reality. When Harris and Leverson return, Wilde declares that he cannot flee: "All that is not for me, for I know that it is nobler and more beautiful to stay for this Cause". Sadly, Harris leaves, pledging his support.
Whitman appears alone, asking "Why is it that a man runs to his own ruin?". Wilde is revealed at his desk, writing a letter to Bosie. Whitman reads the letter out loud as Bosie appears, who dances simultaneously. Whitman then leaves and Bosie remains standing as Wilde extols Bosie's virtues: "You are the atmosphere of beauty through which I see life; you are the incarnation of all lovely things....My sweet rose!" At that moment, breaking into Wilde's fantasy, Queensbury's men enter and order Bosie to leave England, and torment Wilde, who reacts with fury: "the Oscar Wilde rule is to shoot on sight!" Wilde attacks the detectives, then his fantasy subsides and he is in despair.
In the trial scene, the nursery transforms into the courtroom and the toys become the personages at the trial. Wilde is convicted of gross indecency and sentenced to two years' hard labour.
Oscar (opera)