from Act III, Scene 2 of the Italian opera
I Due Foscari by Giuseppe Verdi
Libretto: Francesco Maria Piave
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.