from Prologue, Scene 1 of the Italian opera Giovanna d'Arco by Giuseppe Verdi

Libretto: Temistocle Solera

Role: Carlo VII, the King of France

Voice Part: tenor       Fach: lyric tenor

Setting: A large hall in Dom-Rémy, France, 1429

Synopsis: The assembled people of Dom-Rémy are attempting to convince their king not to go to the oak tree at which King Carlo dreamed he would find someone to save France. They tell him that the Devil is strong in power there. The king dismisses their worries, singing that since he has dreamed this tree has the Madonna painted upon it, the Devil will not be able to intrude. He isn't worried about the Devil, but he is worried about his crown for he does not want to be king any longer.

from Act III of the Italian opera Giovanna d'Arco by Giuseppe Verdi

Libretto: Temistocle Solera

Role: Carlo VII, the King of France

Voice Part: tenor       Fach: lyric tenor

Setting: The inside of a English Army fort

Synopsis: Giacomo has realized that his daughter Giovanna's actions to save France were not prompted by the Devil and releases her from captivity by the English. She goes off to fight against the English and saves them and helps them conquer the English. In doing so, though, she is killed on the field of battle. After conquering the English, Carlo and Giacomo are informed of this unfortunate news. While Giacomo weeps, Carlo expresses his grief at her death.

from Prologue, Scene 1 of the Italian opera Giovanna d'Arco by Giuseppe Verdi

Libretto: Temistocle Solera

Role: Carlo VII, the King of France

Voice Part: tenor       Fach: lyric tenor

Setting: A large hall in Dom-Rémy, France, 1429

Synopsis: Carlo declares that the fighting in Orleans should stop and that an emissary will be sent to the English opposition to end it. He does not care if he dies and, in fact, wishes God would take out his vengeance against him alone instead of his people. Then he proceeds to tell the assembled court about his dream. He dreamed that he was lying underneath an oak that had a image of the Virgin Mary painted on it. Suddenly, the painting spoke and told him to take a sword and a helmet and place them before it. He ends by praying again that France be saved.

from Act II of the Italian opera Giovanna d'Arco by Giuseppe Verdi

Libretto: Temistocle Solera

Role: Giacomo, a shepherd

Voice Part: baritone       Fach: dramatic baritone

Setting: The main square in front of the Cathedral of St. Denis in Rheims, France, 1429

Synopsis: Carlo has declared to the crowd in front of the cathedral of St. Denis that another cathedral should be raised up in honor of Giovanna who has saved all of France. Suddenly, Giacomo bursts out of the crowd yelling "Blasphemy!" He goes on to denounce her, singing that he saw her in the forest when she gave herself over to Satan and King Carlo and God has declared that she should be punished for her evil actions. As he finishes up his accusations, he asks the crowd furiously if they will raise a cathedral to her now.

from Act I, Scene 1 of the Italian opera Giovanna d'Arco by Giuseppe Verdi

Libretto: Temistocle Solera

Role: Giacomo, a shepherd

Voice Part: baritone       Fach: dramatic baritone

Setting: A rocky area close to the city of Rheims, France, 1429

Synopsis: The English are in retreat and are about to pull out of France altogether when Giacomo approaches them. He offers to hand over his daughter to them for she was the one who rallied the French to victory. He does love his country but he cannot help but fight against the French king whom he believes has brought dishonor upon them all.

from Act I, Scene 1 of the Italian opera Giovanna d'Arco by Giuseppe Verdi

Libretto: Temistocle Solera

Role: Giacomo, a shepherd

Voice Part: baritone       Fach: dramatic baritone

Setting: A rocky area close to the city of Rheims, France, 1429

Synopsis: The English are in retreat and are about to pull out of France altogether when Giacomo approaches them. He offers to hand over his daughter to them for she was the one who rallied the French to victory. After railing against the disgrace of the French king that caused Giacomo to betray his country, he continues on into this cabaletta attempting to reconcile his love for his daughter that he is betraying.

from Act II of the Italian opera Giovanna d'Arco by Giuseppe Verdi

Libretto: Temistocle Solera

Role: Giacomo, a shepherd

Voice Part: baritone       Fach: dramatic baritone

Setting: The main square in front of the Cathedral of St. Denis in Rheims, France, 1429

Synopsis: Giacomo has now come to terms with his betrayal of his daughter to the English. He is sure now that it will be the best for France if he rids the country of this woman whom he believes has gone over to the Devil. He sings of her as she used to be : a obedient, faithful daughter who would have taken care of him for the rest of his years. He regrets that now he must turn her in, but resolves that he will do his part by making sure she is not burned at the stake.

from Act I, Scene 2 of the Italian opera Giovanna d'Arco by Giuseppe Verdi

Libretto: Temistocle Solera

Role: Giovanna, Giacomo's daughter (Joan of Arc)

Voice Part: soprano       Fach: dramatic coloratura

Setting: A garden in the Court of Rheims, France, 1429

Synopsis: Giovanna has commanded the French troops to victory over the English and has accomplished what she set out to do. She is still at the court but she wishes to return to her old life as a shepherdess. She sings longingly of her small cottage, the forest that surrounded it, and her father whom she misses dearly.

from Prologue, Scene 2 of the Italian opera Giovanna d'Arco by Giuseppe Verdi

Libretto: Temistocle Solera

Role: Giovanna, Giacomo's daughter (Joan of Arc)

Voice Part: soprano       Fach: dramatic coloratura

Setting: A forest, France, 1429

Synopsis: Giovanna is upset because she cannot help defend her France in its darkest hour because she is a woman. She prays to the Madonna that she will be given weapons with which she can fight against the English intruders.