故事发生在14世纪的意大利热那亚。在总督选举前夕，整个城市人心惶惶，平民与贵族之间的冲突十分激烈。别有用心的金匠保罗与同伴彼耶得罗拥立颇得民心的西蒙·波卡涅拉，取代大家厌恶的贵族费耶斯科为总督。费耶斯科的女儿玛丽娅正与西蒙恋爱，并且生下了一个女儿。但是，顽固地坚持门第之见的费耶斯科不但不准女儿与西蒙结婚，还要他交出他们的女儿。但终年在海上奔波的西蒙也与女儿失去了联系。费耶斯科不相信外孙女失踪，并表示他们之间永远不可能和解。当西蒙当选热那亚总督之时，忧思成疾的玛丽娅则已长逝。

The story takes place in 14th century Genoa, Italy. On the eve of the gubernatorial election, panic spreads throughout the city, and conflict between the civilians and nobles becomesintense.Goldsmith Peter with ulterior motives and his companion Pietro support Simon Boccanegra replacing the noble Jacopo Fiesco as the Doge of Genoa. Fiesco's daughter Maria falls into love with Simon, and gives birth to a daughter. However, Fiesco, who stubbornly insists on a marriage with someone of highsocial status, not only disapproves ofhis daughter Maria marryingSimon, but also orders Simon to hand over the baby. Simon, who toils on the sea throughout the year, loses contact with his daughter. Fiesco doesn't believe that his granddaughter is missing and says that he will never forgivenorforget. When Simon is elected as the Doge, Maria dies of endless worry and sorrow.