from Act III of the English opera
The Bohemian Girl by Michael William Balfe
Libretto: Alfred Bunn
Role: Thaddeus, a Polish exile and fugitive
Voice Part: tenor Fach: lyric tenor
Setting: A hall in Count Arnheim's castle
Synopsis: An exiled Polish prince, Thaddeus has lived with a gypsy band for several years. There he met Arline, daughter of Count Arnheim, who was abducted as a child and grew up with the gypsies. The two were in love, but Arline has reunited with her father and now lives in his castle. While secretly visiting her there, Thaddeus has been discovered. Arline defends Thaddeus before her father, saying that she loves him even though he is a gypsy. Thaddeus then surprises them both by announcing his true heritage.