from Act I, Scene 4 of the Italian opera I Due Foscari by Giuseppe Verdi

Libretto: Francesco Maria Piave

Role: Francesco Foscari, the Doge

Voice Part: baritone       Fach: dramatic baritone

Setting: the Doge's private rooms, Venice, 1457

Synopsis: Francesco is saddened that he has no control over his son being sentenced to exile. He sings of his regret that he does not have the strength to hold back his tears.

from Act III, Scene 2 of the Italian opera I Due Foscari by Giuseppe Verdi

Libretto: Francesco Maria Piave

Role: Francesco Foscari, the Doge

Voice Part: baritone       Fach: dramatic baritone

Setting: A hall in the Foscari palace, Venice, 1457

Synopsis: After his son Jacopo has died, Francesco has been told by the Venetian Council of Ten that he should resign from his position as Doge because of his old age and recent losses. Giving over his ring and crown signifying his office, Francesco sings that he feels that he is already dying and, as the accompaniment to the cabaletta is ending, he collapses, crying out "My son...", and dies.

from Act III, Scene 2 of the Italian opera I Due Foscari by Giuseppe Verdi

Libretto: Francesco Maria Piave

Role: Francesco Foscari, the Doge

Voice Part: baritone       Fach: dramatic baritone

Setting: A hall in the Foscari palace, Venice, 1457

Synopsis: After his son Jacopo has died, Francesco has been told by the Venetian Council of Ten that he should resign from his position as Doge because of his old age and recent losses. He vents his anger nobly, protesting that he does not deserve such a reward after all the years of service he has given his country and all the success he has brought Venice.

from Act III, Scene 1 of the Italian opera I Due Foscari by Giuseppe Verdi

Libretto: Francesco Maria Piave

Role: Jacopo Foscari, the son of Francesco Foscari

Voice Part: tenor       Fach: spinto

Setting: the Old Piazzetta of San Marco, Venice, 1457

Synopsis: About to leave for his exile, Jacopo says farewell to his wife and children, singing to his wife to take care of the children. When she shows her sadness, he reminds her that she was not always a Foscari and was born a Contarini.

from Act I, Scene 1 of the Italian opera I Due Foscari by Giuseppe Verdi

Libretto: Francesco Maria Piave

Role: Jacopo Foscari, the son of Francesco Foscari

Voice Part: tenor       Fach: spinto

Setting: A hall in the Foscari palace, Venice, 1457

Synopsis: Jacopo has been exiled from Venice and has now been brought before the Venetian Council of Ten (headed by his father) to face charges of murder. He sings of Venice and how he missed it in his exile.

from Act II, Scene 1 of the Italian opera I Due Foscari by Giuseppe Verdi

Libretto: Francesco Maria Piave

Role: Jacopo Foscari, the son of Francesco Foscari

Voice Part: tenor       Fach: spinto

Setting: the state prisons, Venice, 1457

Synopsis: Jacopo is locked in the lower levels of the prison until he can be transported out of the country. He suddenly sees specters rise up around him. He recognizes one of them as a man executed as a result of the Venetian Council of Ten's ruling. As the ghosts advance, he sings of his terror and asks the ghosts to have mercy on him. Finally, as the ghost continues to come nearer, Jacopo faints.

from Act III, Scene 1 of the Italian opera I Due Foscari by Giuseppe Verdi

Libretto: Francesco Maria Piave

Role: Jacopo Foscari, the son of Francesco Foscari

Voice Part: tenor       Fach: spinto

Setting: the Old Piazzetta of San Marco, Venice, 1457

Synopsis: About to leave for his exile, Jacopo sings his final farewell to his father, his wife, and his children in this slow cabaletta.

from Act I, Scene 1 of the Italian opera I Due Foscari by Giuseppe Verdi

Libretto: Francesco Maria Piave

Role: Jacopo Foscari, the son of Francesco Foscari

Voice Part: tenor       Fach: spinto

Setting: A hall in the Foscari palace, Venice, 1457

Synopsis: Jacopo has been exiled from Venice and has now been brought before the Venetian Council of Ten (headed by his father) to face charges of murder. Assured that he will be presented with a easy sentence, he explodes into this cabaletta, singing his defiance and claiming that he is innocent and that he is only being kept by their hate for him.

from Act I, Scene 1 of the Italian opera I Due Foscari by Giuseppe Verdi

Libretto: Francesco Maria Piave

Role: Jacopo Foscari, the son of Francesco Foscari

Voice Part: tenor       Fach: spinto

Setting: A hall in the Foscari palace, Venice, 1457

Synopsis: Jacopo has been exiled from Venice and has now been brought before the Venetian Council of Ten (headed by his father) to face charges of murder. After being told that the Council will be lenient in its sentencing of him, Jacopo sings that he cannot do anything but put his trust into God to have mercy upon him.

from Act I, Scene 2 of the Italian opera I Due Foscari by Giuseppe Verdi

Libretto: Francesco Maria Piave

Role: Lucrezia Contarini, Jacopo's wife

Voice Part: soprano       Fach: spinto

Setting: A hall in the Foscari palace, Venice, 1457

Synopsis: After asking Pisana, her friend, if Jacopo has been sentenced to death, Lucrezia is told that her husband has instead been returned to his exile through the mercy of the Venetian Council of Ten. Angry at this sort of mercy that seems very unmerciful to her, Lucrezia's cabaletta is focused on her thoughts on the Council's sort of "mercy".

from Act III, Scene 2 of the Italian opera I Due Foscari by Giuseppe Verdi

Libretto: Francesco Maria Piave

Role: Lucrezia Contarini, Jacopo's wife

Voice Part: soprano       Fach: spinto

Setting: A hall in the Foscari palace, Venice, 1457

Synopsis: Jacopo has died after stepping on to the boat that is taking him to his place of exile right after his father has discovered evidence that proves he is innocent of the crimes that he has been convicted of. Lucrezia, torn with sorrow, sings of her deep grief from his sudden death at the moment he was found innocent.

from Act I, Scene 2 of the Italian opera I Due Foscari by Giuseppe Verdi

Libretto: Francesco Maria Piave

Role: Lucrezia Contarini, Jacopo's wife

Voice Part: soprano       Fach: spinto

Setting: A hall in the Foscari palace, Venice, 1457

Synopsis: While she is attempting to see her husband who has been charged with murder, a group of Lucrezia's attendants suggest that, instead of rushing off, she should put her faith in God. She submits to their request and sings this prayer to God.