Just before dawn Dante awakes on the shore of a desolate beach, a huge mountain towering above him, obscured by clouds.

Stirring he sees Virgil walking towards him and they greet each other, Dante recalling his dream of Inferno and the horrors of what he saw in Hell.

Virgil reassures him that he has now passed through Inferno and, rising above them, is Purgatory, the mountain of penance for sins committed in earthly life, not serious enough to warrant hell, but requiring introspection and self-awareness of each sin prior to being welcomed into Paradise.

Dante notices a light approaching from out in the ocean (ie: out across the audience from the back of the theatre). It’s a ship approaching, bringing a group of souls who are about to undertake the journey through Purgatory. As they disembark, Dante recognizes one of them. It’s Casella, a friend who he collaborated with on lyrics and music in real life.

Pleased to see Casella, Dante, Casella and Virgil sing one of the successful songs they wrote together from back in the day. But midway through the second verse their song is cut short by one of the other souls, Cato, who sternly remonstrates them for being so happy at such a sobering time, reminding them of the mission ahead and the horrors of the past they have just escaped from.

The crowd of souls bow their heads and make their way into Purgatory. With a look that says a new and powerful journey is about to start again, Dante and Virgil turn and follow them….