IL TROVATORE: A DRAMA OF WAR, LOVE AND FATE
Verdi's Il Trovatore, performed worldwide, tells the tale of Manrique, who - disguised as the 'troubadour' of the title - serenades Leonore, a beautiful noblewoman at his enemy's court. Though his song wins her heart, it fires the jealousy of the Count De Luna. Manrique and De Luna are rivals in love and leaders of opposing armies, but their fates are strangely linked by a mystery from years before...
Il Trovatore combined war, romance, revenge and revelation to create a huge hit and an enduring favourite - millions hearing it for the first time will recognise the famous Anvil Chorus.

HISTORY

Act 1
From Fernand, De Luna's captain of guards, we learn how Manrique's mother, Azucena, lost her mother by the cruelty of De Luna's father and avenged herself by abducting and killing one of the count's two sons, only his charred bones being found.
Leonora admits her love to her confidante, while De Luna stalks in search of his rival. Mistaking De Luna for the troubadour, Leonore rushes to him, only for Manrique to appear, and she is powerless to prevent a duel between the enemies.

Act 2
Manrique has spared De Luna's life, only to be defeated on the battlefield, left for dead, and rescued by Azucena.
Azucena remains haunted by her duty to avenge her mother. She confesses that, in her confusion, the child she killed was not the count's son, but her own. Who, then, is Manrique? A messenger arrives and reports that Leonore, believing Manrique is dead, intends to renounce the world and enter a convent.
Manrique rushes away to stop her.

Act 3
De Luna's army besiege the fortress where Manrique and Leonore have hidden. Azucena, who has been captured nearby, is recognised as the murderer of De Luna's brother. When Azucena cries out to Manrique, De Luna orders his men to burn Azucena in sight of her son. Manrique prepares to launch a desperate attack to rescue her.

Act 4
Verdi provides a harrowing ending. Leonore dies after Manrique refuses to have his freedom bought by her marriage to De Luna. As Manrique is led away and executed, Azucena reveals the terrible truth: De Luna has killed his own brother.

MAIN ROLES

Manrique ,the troubadour, and a leader of the army of the Prince of Urgel, tenor
Count de Luna, a nobleman of the Prince of Aragon, enemy of Manrique, baritone
Azucena ,a gypsy, who has raised Manrique as her son, mezzo-soprano
Leonore ,a beautiful noblewoman, in love with Manrique, but desired by De Luna, soprano
Ines, Leonore's confidante,soprano