from Act I of the Italian opera
L'Arlesiana by Francesco Cilèa
Libretto: Leopoldo Marenco
Role: Baldassarre, an old shepherd
Voice Part: baritone Fach: dramatic baritone
Setting: the farmyard of Rosa Mamai's farm, the end of May, late 1800's, Italy
Synopsis: Baldassarre tells a story to L'Innocente, the mentally impaired son of Rosa Mamai. He describes a little goat that is attacked during the night by a wolf. Throughout the entire night, the goat defends itself but finally as the morning breaks, it succumbs to its injuries.