from Act II of the Italian opera
Ernani by Giuseppe Verdi
Libretto: Francesco Maria Piave
Role: Don Carlo, the King of Spain
Voice Part: baritone Fach: dramatic baritone
Setting: A hall in Don Ruy Gomez de Silva's castle, Spain, 1519
Synopsis: King Carlo has entered Silva's castle in search of the bandit Ernani. He is sure that Silva is hiding Ernani somewhere inside but Silva denies it. Carlo becomes angry and threatens to torture the information out of Silva who he believes is a traitor. He finally offers him a choice of what to give him : his head or the traitor Ernani.