from Act II, Scene 2 of the Italian opera
L'Italiana in Algeri by Gioacchino Rossini
Libretto: Angelo Anelli
Role: Isabella, an Italian lady
Voice Part: mezzo-soprano Fach: lyric mezzo
Setting: An magnificent apartment in the palace of the Bey of Algiers, Algeria, early 19th century
Synopsis: With the Bey of Algiers watching her covertly, Isabella (who knows that he is watching her) says that she hopes that she can be beautiful enough to attract him. Under her breath, though, she plans to trick him into letting her have whatever she wants.