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: Princess Eboli, lady in waiting to the Queen of Spain
Voice Part: mezzo-soprano Fach: dramatic mezzo
Setting: The King's cabinet, Madrid, Spain, 1559
Synopsis: Eboli has betrayed her Queen and friend Elizabeth to the Queen because her advances to Carlos have been rejected. In retaliation, Elizabeth gives her the choice of being exiled or becoming a nun. After she leaves, Eboli curses the gift of beauty that she has been given, saying that it has been the cause of all her problems. She swears to save Carlos from the imprisonment that has resulted from her betrayal.