The opera was composed in 1851-1853, and revised in 1856.
- Composer: Giuseppe Verdi (October 9, 1813 – January 27, 1901).
- Libretto: Leone Emanuele Bardare and Salvatore Cammarano, based on the play by Antonio García Gutiérrez.
- First Performance: Teatro Apollo, Rome, January 19, 1853.
- Setting: Spain in the 15th century.
Il Trovatore is an immensely popular melodramatic opera that forms the great trilogy of Verdi's mid-years, along with Rigoletto and La Traviata. The main characters – Leonora, Manrico and the count are all given passionate arias. However, it is Azucena, the Gypsy with a burning vengeful heart, who gets the most challenging part.
Some Arias: "Ah si, ben mio" (Manrico), "Il Balen" (Count di Luna), "Di quella pira" (Manrico), "Miserere" / "D'amor sull'ali rosee" (Leonora), "Stride la vampa" (Azucena), "Tacea la notte"/"Di tale amor" (Leonora).
The Character Roles
- Leonora, Lady in waiting to the Princess of Aragon (soprano)
- Count di Luna, Commander in the army of Aragon (baritone)
- Manrico, A gypsy and rebel (tenor)
- Azucena, A gypsy (mezzo-soprano)
- Ferrando, a captain in di Luna's guard (bass)
- Inez, Leonora's confidante (mezzo)
- Ruiz, a soldier in Manrico's group (tenor)
Plot Summary / Synopses of Il Trovatore
Act 1
Scene 1. Hall in the Aliaferia Palace
Ferrando tells his men about the count's brother, Garcia. When Garcia was a baby, a gypsy crept into his bedroom and cast a spell on him. As punishment, the gypsy was burned alive. In retaliation, the gypsy's daughter kidnapped Garcia and also burned him alive. The men are frightened that the dead gypsy's spirit has been around.
Scene 2. Palace Garden
Leonora confides to Inez that she loves Manrico, the troubadour, who has been serenading her. But the count loves Leonora to. The count challenges Manrico.
Act 2
Scene 1. Gypsy Camp in the Mountains of Biscaglia
The gypsies are singing while working in their camp. Manrico spared the count but is wounded as he barely escaped the count's men. He asks his mother, the gypsy Azucena, about her past and who she really is. She recounts how her mother was burned by the count's men, that in revenge, she stole the count's son, but when she went to throw him in the fire, she found she had killed her own son instead. Manrico is surprised at this revelation, but Azucena assures Manrico he is her son. A messenger brings the news that that Leonora is going to take the the vow into nunnery. Manrico hurries off to stop her, despite his painful wounds.
Scene 2. Cloister of a Convent in the Neighborhood of Castellor
The count and his men hide outside Leonora's convent, planning to seize her. He surprises the nuns but himself is surprised by the presence of Manrico and his men. Leonora leaves with Manrico.
Act 3
Scene 1. Military Camp.
The count's army besieges Manrico's castle of Castellor. Azucena is captured spying and brought before the count, who realizes it was she who killed Garcia. Her admission that Manrico is her son fuels his hatred.
Scene 2. Hall at Castellor
Manrico assures Leonora he will defeat the count but when he sees the pyre lit for Azucena to be burned at stake, he orders his men to arms.
Act 4
Scene 1. Wing of the Aliaferia Palace
Manrico's men have been defeated. Leonora and Ruiz sneak into the palace where Manrico is imprisoned. Leonora offers herself to the count in exchange for Manrico and the count accepts. She drinks the poison.
Scene 2. Horrible Dungeon
In prison, Manrico comforts Azucena. Leonora enters and bids Manrico to flee. He guesses the price she has paid for his freedom. The count enters the cell, Leonora dies and the count has Manrico executed. Azucena reveals to the count that Manrico was in fact, his brother. Azucena has avenged her mother.
Sources:
Opera by Alan Riding and L.D. Downer, DK, 2006
Opera, The Da Capo Opera Manual by Nicholas Ivor Martin, 1997
