To outline the characters of La Jura, Gavino Gabriel takes inspiration from quite common bloodshed of those years in Sardinia. As demonstrated by many oral stories - often supported also by historical documents - in the 19th century in Gallura arranged marriages could cause fiery rivalries and family feuds, which sometimes could lead to honorable killings. 

The story is based on a dramatic event in the life of Cicciottu Jacòni, an improvising poet who had been renowned in Gallura since the early 19th century. Although based on documented traditions, the strength of the characters of La Jura lies in their value as literary archetypes. Gabriel succeeded in skillfully unfolding the plot of a story which is both universal - whose events are those typical represented in opera houses - and local, with continuous reference to the so-called culture of the "stazzi" (the rural houses of the shepherds) which developed in Gallura in the 19th century and whose remains are still visible nowadays.
 
Cicciottu Jacòni, shepherd poet (tenor)
Both a shepherd and an improvising poet from the center of Gallura, he plays the leading male role of the opera; he is in love with Anna and her father forces him to became a killer.
 
Anna Filianu (soprano)
Leading female role of the opera; she is in love with Jacòni, but her father wants her to marry the rich shepherd Burédda. 
 
Gjompaulu Filianu (bass)
Anna's father. He takes an oath (the jura) with Jacòni, that he will allow him to marry Anna, only if he accepts to commit murder on his behalf. 
 
Battista Burédda (baritone) 
He is a rich shepherd in love with Matalena, but Gjompaulu Filianu would like him to marry his daughter Anna. In the past he had a secret affair with Pasca Ucchjtta, from which a daughter (Salvatora) was born, dying at a very young age. 
 
Matalena (mezzo soprano).
Gjompaulu's adopted daughter. She is in love with the rich shepherd Burédda and favors her stepsister Anna's secret dates with Jacóni. 
 
Pasca Ucchjtta (soprano)
She is in love with Burédda, with whom she had a secret affair with from which her daughter (Salvatora) was born; the grief for the early death of her daughter has driven her crazy. 
 
Anghilesa Furitta (mezzo soprano).
She is an elderly woman who lives at Filianu's house. She gives advice and supports Anna as an adoptive mother. She favors her secret affair with Jacòni and at the end of the opera she persuades her to fulfill her love dream.
 
Diecu Fascióla, “omu di la pricunta” (tenor).
The "omu de la pricunta" is the improvising poet who, by request of the groom, is in charge of making the marriage proposal to the bride's family and plead his cause exalting his values. 
 
Ciccittu Frési, “alligadori” (baritone).
The "alligadori" is the improvising poet instructed by the bride's family to talk in verses with the omu di la pricunta during the engagement rituals. 
 
Other characters: shepherds, servants, a tàsgia singers, street vendors and grape harvesters.