from Act I of the Italian opera Il Rè Pastore by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

Libretto: Pietro Metastasio

Role: Amintas, shepherd, in love with Elisa

Voice Part: soprano       Fach: male soprano|lyric soprano

Setting: the countryside of Sidon

Synopsis: Alexander and Agenor have just approached Amintas and asked him if he would like to live an easier life than the one he is leading. They know that Amintas is really the legitimate heir to Sidon's throne. After they leave, Amintas restates his love for Elisa and his lifestyle in the recitative proceeding the aria. In the aria, he goes on to describe his life of green fields, fresh air and water, and simplicity as a shepherd. He then sings that if he were to change his life, the gods would have made that decision for him.