IL TROVATORE

Azucena                a gypsy woman

Manrico                 a leader of the rebel army and a troubadour

Leonora                  a lady in waiting to the queen

Il Conte di Luna    a leader of the royal forces

Ferrando                captain of di Luna’s guard

Ines                         Leonora’s attendant

Ruiz                         a follower of Manrico

ACT ONE - THE DUEL

Scene I

Il Conte di Luna has commanded his captain of the guard, Ferrando to keep watch for a troubadour who nightly serenades Leonora, the woman he loves. To keep the sentries awake, Ferrando tells them a story from many years before. Di Luna’s father, suspecting witchcraft, has burnt an old gypsy woman at the stake. In revenge the gypsy’s daughter has stolen one of the old count’s two infant sons. Though the remains of a child were found in the ashes, the old count was convinced the stolen child was still alive and, on his deathbed, has begged his son, di Luna to seek for his brother.

Scene II

In the garden of the palace, at night, as Leonora awaits the arrival of Manrico, the troubadour with whom she has fallen in love, she confesses her guilty passion to her fearful attendant, Inez. They return to the queen’s apartments.

Di Luna emerges from the shadows. He is unable to sleep for love of Leonora.

When Leonora returns to the garden, summoned by the serenade of her troubadour, she mistakes the shadowy form of di Luna for Manrico and flings herself into di Luna’s arms. Manrico assumes she is unfaithful and reproaches her. When Leonora assures Manrico of her devotion, di Luna challenges Manrico to a duel.

Scene I

The gypsies, supporters of the rebel cause, forge weapons for the war. The flames remind Azucena of the anguish of her mother’s death and her cries for revenge.

Left alone with Manrico, who has been seriously wounded in battle, Azucena recalls how, blinded by vengeance, she had stolen one of the old count’s children and cast him into the fire. To her horror, she then discovered that it is her own son, not that of the old count, she has killed. She has raised the surviving child as her own. She allays Manrico’s horrified doubts about his origins by saying that, in her anguish, she often says foolish things.

Although he has beaten di Luna in their duel, Manrico has spared his life, prompted by some deep instinct.

News comes that Leonora, thinking Manrico has been killed, is about to enter a convent. Ignoring his wounds and the pleadings of Azucena, Manrico rushes away to prevent Leonora taking the veil.

Scene II

Di Luna and his retainers conceal themselves in the convent garden, intending to abduct Leonora. When Leonora is about to enter the church to take her vows, Manrico appears with his men and thwarts di Luna’s plot. Manrico and Leonora flee together.

ACT THREE - THE GYPSY’S SON

Scene I

Whilst preparing to besiege Manrico’s stronghold, di Luna’s soldiers capture Azucena. Ferrando recognizes her as the gypsy who stole the child. Di Luna orders her to be burnt at the stake.

Scene II

In Manrico’s besieged castle, just as Manrico and Leonora are about to be married, a messenger arrives with the news that Azucena is to be executed. Manrico vows to rescue her and, leaving Leonora, hastens to his mother’s aid.

ACT FOUR - THE EXECUTION

Scene I

Manrico’s attempt to free his mother has failed and he has been captured and imprisoned. In the hours before dawn, as priests chant the Miserere, Leonora comes to the prison courtyard intent on rescuing her lover. In order to save Manrico’s life, she offers herself to di Luna. On his acceptance of the bargain, however, she secretly takes poison.

Scene II

Azucena and Manrico await execution. Manrico comforts his mother and Azucena falls asleep. Leonora comes to tell Manrico he is free. Ignorant of her sacrifice, Manrico accuses her of betrayal. She assures him she would rather die than marry another. The poison takes effect and Leonora dies in Manrico’s arms.

Realizing that he has been duped, di Luna immediately orders Manrico’s execution. As Manrico dies, Azucena wakes and tells di Luna he has killed his own brother. Azucena has at last avenged her mother’s death.