from Act IV (Act III in four-act version), Scene 1 of the Italian|French opera
Don Carlos by Giuseppe Verdi
Libretto: Joseph Méry
Role: Philip II, The King of Spain
Voice Part: bass Fach: heavy bass
Setting: The King's cabinet, Madrid, Spain, 1559
Synopsis: Philip realizes that his wife has never loved him and will never love him. He wishes that he could read the minds of others. Alas, though, the crown does not allow him this power and he will only be at peace when he dies.