from Act I, Scene 1 of the Italian opera Alzira by Giuseppe Verdi

Libretto: Salvatore Cammarano

Role: Gusmano, Governor of Peru

Voice Part: baritone       Fach: dramatic baritone

Setting: The main square of Lima, Peru, mid-16th century

Synopsis: After ordering Ataliba, a tribal head and his prisoner, to offer up his allegiance to Spain, Gusmano also implies that it might be nice if he could have Alzira, Ataliba's daughter. After Ataliba warns him that it may not be the best idea because Alzira loves another, Gusman sings of how he is able to conquer entire nations, but he cannot claim victory over one woman's love.