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

Libretto: Pietro Metastasio

Role: Elisa, noble Phoenician girl, in love with Amintas

Voice Part: soprano       Fach: lyric coloratura|soubrette

Setting: the Greek military camp

Synopsis: Elisa has come to the Greek camp to find Amintas who has been crowned king. She finds the tent he is in, but is prevented from entering by Agenor who explains that Amintas is very busy. He tells her that he will find her later and bring Amintas with him. After trying unsuccessfully several times to enter, Elisa sings this aria, calling Agenor cruel and asking how he can keep her parted from her beloved. She then goes on to appeal to his compassion by asking him why he does not pity her state. After all, she says, doesn't he have a heart?