from Act II, Scene 3 of the Italian opera
Giulio Cesare by George Frideric Handel
Libretto: Nicola Haym
Role: Giulio Cesare, emporer of Rome
Voice Part: contralto Fach: contralto|dramatic baritone
Setting: Palace of the Goddess of Virtue, Alexandria, Egypt, 48 B.C.
Synopsis: Cleopatra knows of an attempt on Caesar's life that is about to be made by Tolomeo's soldiers. However, when she tries to warn him to flee, he at first repudiates the idea vigorously. He then runs out to take part in the fighting.