The gypsy woman Azucena, whose mother was burned at the stake, wants to take revenge on Count Luna for all she has suffered. She kidnaps one of the Count’s sons and raises him as her own, all the while plotting her revenge. Many years later, Manriko, the troubador raised by gypsies, doesn’t realize that his greatest opponent in the race to capture the heart of the woman he loves is his own brother – the young Count Luna. Il Trovatore was a grand success for Giuseppe Verdi and still maintains its place in the golden classics of opera repertoire. Its popularity stems from its magnificent, expressive music: the emotional strength and psychological veracity of the characters come across beautifully in the opera’s moving arias and colourful ensembles.

Performed in Italian, surtitled in English, Latvian.

Synopsis

PART I

Military hospital set in a castle

The wounded soldiers of Count Luna’s attend to Ferrando reminiscing about a crime committed two years before. An old gypsy woman was burned at that time on stake as after her sneaking into the room of Count’s son one of the heirs fell gravely ill. The next day after this seer was executed, it was discovered that another of Count’s sons had disappeared, while burned human bones were found in the ashes of punishment pyre. Many grew convinced that daughter of the old gypsy woman had thrown the nobleman’s abducted son into flames to revenge her castigated mother. The young gypsy had been nowhere to be seen after that, however, Ferrando is convinced that he could recognize the guilty woman even now.

The Orderlies’ Room

Noble Leonora who has chosen to meet the dire conditions of war as a nurse, instead of loving Count Luna, has pledged her heart to Manrico. Waiting for the moment when they will be able to see each other, Leonora recounts the first time she laid her eyes on her beloved to her help Ines. She disregards Ines’ warnings about the dangers which a wild love could bring. Count Luna appears whose regrets of indifference of Leonora are disrupted by Manrico’s serenade. In the semi-dark of the place, Leonora hugs the Count, mistaking him for Manrico. Manrico is livid, but Leonora manages to persuade him that a misunderstanding occurred. The disappointed Count recognizes Manrico not only as his arch-rival in the contest of Leonore’s heart, but also as one of the rebels. Their duel for life or death has begun.

Gypsy camp

With other Roma reveling in the gains of the day, Azucena delves in memories about the terrible fate of her mother. She decides to reveal the circumstances of her death to Manrico. Azucena mentions also that she had intended to burn Count’s son in revenge, but had thrown her own child into flames in confusion. After Manrico’s anxious questions concerning his identity, Azucena realizes in alarm that she must have revealed too much. She asserts that Manrico indeed is her son and those had been only her abysmal memories, which had briefly obscured her mind. The gypsy reminds Manrico that she had always loved him, and only this love was to be thankful to for curing of all the injuries suffered in the battles against the Count’s forces. She blames Manrico for his failure to take the young Count’s life when he had heard the warning call from above. Azucena urges him not to waver and use opportunity to assassinate Count if such would occur once more. Meanwhile, Leonora has trusted the news of Manrico’s death, caused by his injuries suffered in one of the clashes, and decides to leave all earthly life. Regardless of Azucena’s advice, Manrico rushes to his beloved eager to see her not as a nun, but at his side as his wedded wife.

The castle chapel

Count is in the castle intent to abduct Leonora and make her his own, but Manrico also arrives to the scene with his supporters who overcome the Count’s soldiers in a scuffle. Leonora and Manrico can finally dream of their happiness together. In his elation over this fact, Manrico forgets to use his opportunity to destroy his rival.

PART II

Dining hall in Count Luna’s castle

The wandering Azucena is captured and brought to Count di Luna and his regiment as a possible spy. Ferrando recognizes the woman once blamed for the disappearance of Count’s brother in her. Fearing for her life, Azucena entreats for Manrico. Realizing that the offender is the mother of Manrico, for whom he harbors so much animosity, Count orders his men to prepare the pyre for execution of Azucena. 

Under the siege

Regardless of unfavorable conditions in the battle to contain the front line, just as Manrico and Leonora prepare for their wedding, Ruiz announces that Manrico’s mother will be burned almost at this moment. Manrico leaves Leonora and rushes to save Azucena.

PART III

Entrance hallin Count Luna’s castle

Attempt to save Azucena has proved to be futile. Ruiz brings Leonora to Count Luna’s castle where, both, Azucena and Manrico are now held captive. Leonora entreats the Count to be merciful to Manrico offering herself in return. When Count agrees to such arrangement, Leonora takes poison while he is unaware in order not to be won by Count Luna alive. Leonora reveals to her beloved that he is finally free, but Manrico grows suspicious of a secret agreement as Leonora refuses to explain her unwillingness to leave the Count’s castle. Manrico throws heavy reproaches at his fiancée – and only at the moment when Leonora collapses at his feet, the troubadour realizes that the maid has sacrificed herself for his life to be saved. Arrives the Count, who understands that he had been misled. He orders immediate execution of Manrico. Before her death, Azucena proves able to revenge her mother by telling the distraught Count that he has just killed his own brother.