In the early part of the morning, university students wearing many-coloured cloaks and plumed tricornes launch an assault on the town's schools to "liberate" pupils only too ready to be let off their lessons. During the afternoon, the General and his staff not unbecomingly pay a courtesy call on the town's military authorities. The main feature of the day, however, is reserved for the evening when the name of the person who will play the part of Violetta is at last made known. Her title is the Mugnaia (as she is the miller's daughter), and her identity has been kept a close secret for some time.

Dressed in the libertarian colours of the Risorgimento despite her mediaeval heritage, she steps out onto the balcony of the Town Hall to be presented by the Sostituto Gran Cancelliere to the huge crowd waiting below in Piazza di Città to cheer the new heroine. A procession then winds its way through the streets accompanied by torch-bearers chosen from the university students and orange-throwers, and there is also a fireworks display.