from Act I of the French opera
La Fille du Régiment by Gaetano Donizetti
Libretto: Jean Francois Bayard
Role: Tonio, a Tyrolese peasant in love with Marie
Voice Part: tenor Fach: tenor leggiero
Setting: an army camp site in a valley in the Swiss Tyrolese Mountains, 1815
Synopsis: After Tonio has been made a member of the French Grenadiers, he approaches some of the members and explains that he has joined the regiment because he loves the regiment's "daughter" Marie. In the cabaletta "Pour mon âme", after asking the members of the regiment to allow him to marry Marie and receiving an affirmative answer, Tonio sings his joy at finally being united with his one love. He promises to take care of her and protect her forever.