from Act I, Scene I of the Italian opera Oberto, Conte di San Bonifacio by Giuseppe Verdi

Libretto: Antonio Piazza

Role: Leonora, daughter of Oberto

Voice Part: soprano       Fach: dramatic soprano

Setting: the countryside with the castle of Ezzelino da Ramano in the background

Synopsis: Before the aria, Leonora summarizes her story in recitative and arioso. While her father was at war with both Ezzelino da Ramano and the Count of Salinguerra, she stayed at home in her father's castle. Under a false name, Riccardo, the Count of Salinguerra, met her and eventually seduced her by promising to marry her. Of course, he didn't marry her and instead betrayed her. She sings about loving and being betrayed by her "angel of beauty".