from Act III, Scene 1 of the French opera
Hérodiade by Jules Massenet
Libretto: Paul Milliet
Role: Phanuel, an Chaldean astrologer
Voice Part: bass Fach: lyric bass
Setting: the home of Phanuel, Jerusalem during the reign of King Herod Antipas (30 AD)
Synopsis: Phanuel studies the stars and wonders aloud if Jean (John the Baptist) is a true prophet or just a man trying to start a revolution.