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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

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

Plot

Characters

Name Part Size Gender Vocal Part

Leonora

Lead

Female

Soprano

Azucena

Lead

Female

Mezzo-Soprano

Manrico

Lead

Male

Tenor

Conte di Luna

Lead

Male

Baritone

Inez

Supporting

Female

Soprano, Mezzo-Soprano

Ferrando

Supporting

Male

Bass

Ruiz

Supporting

Male

Tenor

A Messenger

Featured

Male

Tenor

A gypsy

Featured

Male

Baritone, Bass

Chorus

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.

Monologues

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Scenes

All scenes are the property and copyright of their owners. Scenes are presented on StageAgent for educational purposes only. If you would like to give a public performance of this scene, please obtain authorization from the appropriate licensor.

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Guide Written By:

Wendy Silvester

Wendy Silvester

Singer and vocal coach based in the UK.