Fresco I. Sofia
Princess Sophia is plotting against Peter. She is afraid that her brother will deprive her of power. Her close friend Macarius spreads a rumor that Peter is going to kill his brother Ivan.
Fresco II. Peter
Shooter Tikhon warns Peter about Sophia's plot. Peter takes refuge in the Trinity Monastery of St. Sergius.
Fresco III. Ascending the Throne
Menshikov and Lefort urge Peter to take power into his own hands, there are enough forces for this. The arriving regiments stand up for him. Peter writes a letter to Ivan with a call to deprive Sophia of power. Arriving at the Kremlin, Peter takes his place on the throne. Sophia is imprisoned in a convent. Macarius brands Peter as Antichrist.
Fresco IV. All-Joking Synod of Fools and Jesters
With the glorification of Bacchus, the All-Joking Synod of Fools and Jesters opens. Peter crowns Menshikov, saying ‘Drunkenness of Bacchus be with you! May the crown of Bacchus' darkness be upon you.’ Lefort sings a parody song. In the midst of the general revelry, Peter reflects on Russian ignorance and squalor. He decides to go to Europe to study shipbuilding in order to elevate Russia.
Fresco V. Amsterdam
Citizens gather for a ceremony marking the completion of the frigate construction. The shipmaster presents Peter the Great with a certificate in successful mastering carpentry and marine sciences. The master blesses Peter. Menshikov urges to get back to Russia but Peter wants to study further. The news of the Streltsy uprising in Moscow forces him to return.
Fresco VI. Old Moscow
In the cell of the convent, Princess Sophia laments her bitter fate and prays. Peter enters. Sophia accuses her brother, ‘Why are you destroying Russia? You sold out to the Germans!’ Peter calls on his sister to change her mind, but she prays frantically and blames Peter. He pulls the curtain of the cell and Sophia sees the hanged shooters.
Fresco VII. Near Narva
Military camp near Narva. Marta, a captive washerwoman, captured the attention of the soldiers. Peter gives her an Orthodox name, ‘You will be Katerina!’. She tells the story of her life in a ballad. Peter is touched by the girl's story. The news of the defeat of the troops comes, and Peter has to flee.
Fresco VIII. Removing the Bells
Novgorod. Bells are removed from churches to be made into cannons. The people are indignant and call Peter the Antichrist. One of the bells crashes to and ground, and Anastasia, Tikhon's bride, dies under it. Macarius whispers a plan to kill the Antichrist Tsar to Tikhon.
Fresco IX. Attempted Murder
The night before the battle. Menshikov reports about the readiness of the troops. Martha sings a lullaby to Peter and leaves the tent. She is preparing to become Peter's wife. ‘There is no more Martha. Catherine!’. Tikhon goes inside, wakes up Peter and shoots him, but the gun misfires. Macarius pounces on Peter. Menshikov and Ekaterina run into the tent. The attempt failed.
Fresco X. Battle Against the Swedes
On the eve of the battle Peter addresses the army. In the battle, a bullet knocks the hat off his head. Russian troops defeat the Swedes. In honor of the victory, Peter orders the foundation of the new city of Petersburg. ‘We will rebuild Russia! Let's start sciences and arts! We will not be worse than others!’. The final chorus calls for solemn joy.
