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.