from Act I, Scene 1 of the Italian opera
Semiramide by Gioacchino Rossini
Libretto: Gaetano Rossi
Role: Arsace, the commander of the Assyrian army and unknowing son of Semiramide
Voice Part: contralto Fach: contralto
Setting: the Temple of Baal, ancient Babylon
Synopsis: Arriving in Babylonia with a royal message from the army, Arsace rejoices in seeing his home once more. He expounds on his sense of duty to his father, who commanded him to visit the temple, and also on his love for Princess Azema.