故事发生在1730年的巴黎。当红女演员阿德里亚娜·莱科芙露尔追求者众多，其中也包括舞台监督米肖内。不过她喜欢的却是萨克森伯爵毛里齐奥。毛里齐奥被阿德里亚娜所吸引，拼命试图摆脱以前的情人布伊翁公主。阿德里亚娜怀疑毛里齐奥仍然爱着公主，而公主则越来越笃定毛里齐奥已经移情别恋。当公主发现情敌原来是阿德里亚娜时，她下毒害死了阿德里亚娜。最终，阿德里亚娜死在毛里齐奥的怀中。

The story takes place in the year 1730, in Paris. The actress Adriana Lecouvreur is adored by many – including stage manager Michonnet – but she loves Maurizio, Count of Saxony. He is entranced by Adriana, and desperately tries to extricate himself from his former lover, the Princesse de Bouillon.Adriana suspects Maurizio still loves the Princess; meanwhile, the Princess grows increasingly sure that Maurizio has left her for another. When she discovers her rival to be Adriana, she poisons the actress. Adriana dies in Maurizio's arms.