"Liberté, Egalité, Fraternité!" -- the idealistic rallying cry of the French Revolution. Unfortunately, that cry turned sour during the notorious time known as the Reign of Terror, when thousands of people were sent to the guillotine. The story of that time, and of three people trying to survive it, is told in this week's opera -- Andrea Chenier, by Umberto Giordano.

The opera is not based on a fictional character. The real André Chénier was born in 1762 in Constantinople, the son of a French father and Greek mother. In France, he became a celebrated poet and, eventually, a fervent supporter of the Revolution. His support ended with the Reign of Terror, when people began being executed in droves. Chénier protested the murders. He was arrested on trumped-up charges, and executed by guillotine in 1794, quoting poems right up to the end. Descriptions of that moment conjure a vivid scene -- tailor-made for opera.

Chénier's reputation eventually faded, but his work was rediscovered in 1819, when a publisher released a complete edition of his poems. He immediately became a Romantic idol. Chénier's life and death inspired many writers, including Victor Hugo and Alfred de Musset. But the most famous work inspired by the poet is Giordano's opera. It's based on a libretto by Luigi Illica -- who also collborated with Puccini -- and it uses quotes from Chénier's actual writings.

This week on World of Opera, we'll hear a brilliant production of the drama from the Washington National Opera, with the acclaimed tenor Salvatore Licitra in the title role.