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In a tavern in Madrid, the young painter Goya, fresh from the provinces, meets and falls in love with the Duchess of Alba, who is disguised as a chambermaid. After she leaves, Goya is disgusted by the sight of a procession of Inquisitors and their prisoners. The next day, even after he discovers her true identity, he expresses his love for her as he paints her. The court, and especially the Queen, try to use Goya's influence to tame the wild Duchess, but this only leads to a fight between the lovers. The Duchess leaves Goya, and as the King takes the painter into the court, encouraging him to turn his art to religious subjects, Goya is suddenly struck with deafness. The Duchess is poisoned, apparently by the Queen, and Goya arrives too late to see her; but many years later, as he lies dying, reflecting on his life, he is visited by a vision of his long-dead love.
Written for and at the suggestion of Placido Domingo, Goya presents a rarity for Menotti, a full lyric tenor role for the central character.