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Overview
Synopsis
A story of witchcraft, murder, and vengeance, the plot to Il Trovatore begins in the acts of the parents. A mother is burned at the stake for suspected witchcraft, and avenged by her daughter when she throws the child of her executioner into the fire. The child’s father seeks vengeance for the act and forces his surviving son to devote his life to avenging his brother’s death. The story of how the gypsy died haunts every character of the opera. Once grown, Count di Luna is possessed by his need to avenge the death of his brother. Ferrando, the captain of di Luna’s guard uses the story to keep the men on their guard. Azucena sees the event repeating in every waking moment, in the flicker of the fire, and in the shape of shadows. But only she knows the truth. Possessed by a dark force in that moment, the child she threw into the flame was her own. She raises Count di Luna’s brother as her own child, calling him Manrico. Constantly haunted by her mother’s dying words ‘mi vendica’ (avenge me), Azucena sets in motion a series of events which lead to Manrico’s death.
Leonora finds herself in the middle of this cross-generational family feud. She has fallen in love with a mysterious troubadour who sings of his love at her window, and so rejects the advances of Count di Luna. Manrico and di Luna are destined to oppose each other, first as leaders of opposing factions in the war, and now in the pursuit of Leonora’s heart. Not until the final blow is struck and Manrico dies at di Luna’s order does Azucena reveal that his rival was his brother. Her mother is avenged.
Verdi’s Il Trovatore has some of the most rousing choruses and arias in any of his operas, a plot to rival Game of Thrones, and four very demanding lead roles calling for exceptional singers. It is truly a masterpiece which will enjoy its popularity within the operatic canon for years to come.
Show Information
- Music
- Giuseppe Verdi
- Libretto
- Salvadore Cammarano
- Based on the Play/Book/Film
- 'El Trovador' by Antonio Garcia Gutierrez
- Category
- Opera
- Age Guidance
- Thirteen Plus (PG-13)
- Number of Acts
- 4
- First Produced
- 1853
- Genres
- Drama, Horror, Tragedy
- Settings
- Multiple Settings
- Time & Place
- Northern Spain, Aragon and Biscaya, 15th Century
- Cast Size
- medium
- Orchestra Size
- Large
- Dancing
- None
- Licensor
- None/royalty-free
- Ideal For
- Professional Opera, Mostly Male Cast, Includes Young Adult, Adult, Mature Adult, Elderly Characters, Medium Cast
Context
Sandwiched between Rigoletto and La Traviata, Verdi’s Il Trovatore was equally as successful, perhaps due to the composers notoriety and recent successes, but almost certainly for the stunning music which he uses to tell this unusual story. Based on the play El Trovador by Spanish playwright Antonio Garcia Gutierrez, the plot of Cammarano’s libretto is considered by many to be implausible to the point of nonsense at times, but
to read the context for Il Trovatore and to unlock other amazing theatre resources!Plot
Act 1 - The duel
Scene 1 - A hall in the palace of Aliaferia
Ferrando, the captain of Count di Luna’s guard, is watching over his retainers as they keep guard through the night. They ask him to tell them a story to keep them awake, so as midnight approaches he recalls the story of how the Count’s brother was cursed by a gypsy as a baby (“Abbietta zingara”). The Count’s father caught the gypsy and burned her at the stake. In revenge, her daughter stole his baby and threw him into the
to read the plot for Il Trovatore and to unlock other amazing theatre resources!Characters
| Name | Part Size | Gender | Vocal Part |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Lead |
Female |
Soprano |
|
|
Lead |
Female |
Mezzo-Soprano |
|
|
Lead |
Male |
Tenor |
|
|
Lead |
Male |
Baritone |
|
|
Supporting |
Female |
Soprano, Mezzo-Soprano |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Bass |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Tenor |
|
|
Featured |
Male |
Tenor |
|
|
Featured |
Male |
Baritone, Bass |
|
|
Ensemble |
Either Gender |
Soprano, Mezzo-Soprano, Tenor, Baritone, Bass, Contralto |
Songs
Act 1 - The duel
Scene 1
Introduction ‘All’erta! All’erta’ - Ferrando, Chorus of di Luna’s men, Chorus of Soldiers
Narrative and Aria ‘Di due figli’ and ‘Abbietta zingara’ - Ferrando, Chorus
Chorus ‘Sull’orlo dei tetti’ and ‘Mori di paura’ - Ferrando, Chorus
Scene 2
Scene and cavatina ‘Tacea la notte placida’ - Leonora, Inez
Scene and romance ‘Tace la notte!’ and ‘Deserto sulla terra’ - Conte di Luna, Manrico
Scene and trio ‘Infida! Qual voce! Ah! Dalle tenebre’ - Leonora, Manrico, Conte
Act 2
Scene 1
Chorus of Gypsies ‘Vedi! Le fosche notturne spoglie’’ (The Anvil Chorus)
Canzone ‘Stride la vampa’ - Azucena
Scene ‘Mesta e la tua canzon’ - Azucena, Chorus of Gypsies, A Gypsy, Manrico
Scene and story ‘Condotta ell’era in ceppi’ - Azucena, Manrico
Scene and duet ‘Mal reggendo all’aspro assalto’ - Azucena, Manrico, Messenger
Scene 2
Scene and aria ‘Tutto e deserto’ and ‘Il balen del suo sorriso’ - Conte di Luna, Ferrando, Chorus of di Luna’s men
Finale: ‘Ah, se l’error t’ingombra’ - Chorus of Nuns, Conte di Luna, Ferrando, di Luna’s men
‘Degg’io volgermi’ - Chorus of Nuns, Conte di Luna, Ferrando, di Luna’s men, Leonora, Inez
‘E deggio e posso crederlo?’ - Chorus of Nuns, Conte di Luna, Ferrando, di Luna’s men, Leonora, Inez, Manrico, Ruiz, Manrico’s men
Act 3
Scene 1
Introductory chorus ‘Or co’ dadi, ma fra poco’ - Chorus of Soldiers, Ferrando
Scene and trio ‘in braccio al mio rival!’ and ‘Giorni poveri vivea’ - Azucena, Conte, Ferrando, Chorus of Soldiers
Scene 2
Scene and duet ‘Quale d’armi fragor poc’anzi intesi?’ and ‘Ah, si, ben mio; coll’essere’ - Leonora, Manrico
Scene and aria ‘Di quella pira’ - Leonora, Manrico, Ruiz, Chorus of Soldiers
Act 4
Scene 1
Scene, aria ‘D’amor, sull’ali rose’ - Ruiz, Leonora, Male Chorus (off-stage), Manrico
Scene and duet ‘Udiste? Come albeggi’ and ‘Mira, di acerba lagrime’ - Conte di Luna, Leonora
Scene 2
Duet ‘Madre, non dormi?’ - Manrico, Azucena, Recitative and Trio ‘Che! Non m’inganno’ - Manrico, Leonora, Azucena
Finale ‘Ti scosta! Non respingermi!’ - Manrico, Leonora, Conte di Luna, Azucena
A song with an asterisk (*) before the title indicates a dance number; a character listed in a song with an asterisk (*) by the character's name indicates that the character exclusively serves as a dancer in this song, which is sung by other characters.
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Guide Written By:
Wendy Silvester
Singer and vocal coach based in the UK.