from Act V of the German opera
Rienzi by Richard Wagner
Libretto: Richard Wagner
Role: Cola Rienzi, Roman tribune, brother of Irene
Voice Part: tenor Fach: dramatic tenor/heldentenor
Setting: a hall in the Capitol of Rome, Italy, middle of the 14th century
Synopsis: Rienzi has been excommunicated for leading a force of Roman citizens against the treacherous Roman nobles, prompting everyone to abandon their support of him. On the brink of disaster, Rienzi prays to God that he might be given strength to weather the crisis. He feels that he is doing God's work by empowering the common citizen.