from Act III of the French|Italian opera
La Favorite (La Favorita) by Gaetano Donizetti
Libretto: Alphonse Royer
Role: Léonore de Guzman (Leonora di Gusman), the mistress of Alphonse (Alfonso), king of Castile
Voice Part: mezzo-soprano
Setting: a room in the king's palace, Castile, Spain, circa 1340
Synopsis: Léonore is in love with and loved by Fernand, formerly a novice at a monastery and currently an officer in Spain’s army. Fernand is granted a reward by the king for his valor in battle, and not knowing that she is the king's "favorite", Fernand asks for her hand in marriage, which the king grants. Leonore is willing to sacrifice her own happiness to ensure Fernand's, and decides to let him know the truth.