From the Met: Il Trovatore

Part I: The Duel

Scene 1

Count di Luna’s camp

Count di Luna’s officer Ferrando orders his men to watch for the mysterious troubadour who Luna believes is his rival for the love of Leonora. While they wait, Ferrando tells the story of how the Count’s infant brother Garzia mysteriously disappeared. One day, an old gypsy woman was discovered by Garzia’s cradle. The child became sickly soon after, so the gypsy was arrested for witchcraft, and burned at the stake. On the day of the execution Garzia disappeared, and the charred remains of a baby were found in the gypsy’s funeral pyre. The gypsy’s daughter was suspected, but could not be found. Ferrando reminds his men that the old Count di Luna’s last request was for his son to find Garzia, whom he believed had survived. Ferrando claims the ghost of the old gypsy woman still roams at night. As midnight chimes, the men disperse.

Scene 2

The palace garden

Leonora tells her companion Ines about the mysterious man she met before the war. He serenades her each night as her troubadour (Tacea la notte placida). Ines suggests it would be safer for Leonora to forget him, but Leonora declares she would rather die(Di tale amor).
As Count di Luna searches for Leonora, he hears the voice of the troubadour – Manrico– singing a serenade (Deserto sulla terra). Leonora hurries to meet Manrico, and is confronted by Luna. Manrico mistakenly suspects that Leonora has betrayed him (Qual voce!… Digeloso amor sprezzato). The Count and Manrico agree to fight a duel.

Part 2: The Gypsy

Scene 1

The gypsy cam

In the gypsy camp, Azucena recalls the horror of her mother’s death, and her vow to avenge her (Stride la vampa). Azucena tells Manrico about what happened to the old Count di Luna’s younger son: she had intended to burn him on her mother’s funeral pyre, but in her disturbed state of mind killed her own child instead. Manrico asks if this means that he is not Azucena’s son. Azucena feigns confusion, but assures Manrico of her love for him. Manrico tells Azucena about his duel with Luna: he was victorious but felt irresistibly compelled to spare his rival (Mal reggendo). Manrico’s comrade Ruiz arrives with the news that Leonora is about to become a nun. Manrico determines to find Leonora (Perigliarti ancor languente).

Scene 2

A convent

The Count di Luna is still very much in love with Leonora and plans to kidnap her from the convent (Il balen del suo sorriso). He and his men prepare to strike (Per me or a fatale).Leonora enters with the nuns to take her vows. Before Luna can intervene, Manrico’s men surround him and his soldiers, and Manrico and Leonora escape.

Part 3: The Gypsy’s Son

The Count’s camp

The Count’s men prepare for the next day’s battle (Squilli, echeggi la tromba guerriera).Ferrando drags in Azucena, who was found wandering near the camp. Azucena pleads her innocence, but Ferrando recognizes her as the suspected murderer of the Count’s infant brother. Luna condemns her to death by fire.
Scene 2: An army camp, commanded by the Count’s enemies Leonora and Manrico are about to be married. Leonora is anxious for Manrico’s safety in the forthcoming battle, and he attempts to calm her. Ruiz comes to inform Manrico that Count di Luna has condemned Azucena to be burnt to death. Manrico gathers his men and prepares to attack the Count’s army (Di quella pira).

Part 4

Scene 1

Outside Manrico’s prison

Manrico’s attack has failed and now he and Azucena are the Count’s prisoners. Leonora has Ruiz conduct her to where Manrico is being held. The suffering of the prisoners moves her (D’amor sull’ali rosee) and awakens her courage. Manrico calls to Leonora, bidding her farewell.
Leonora attempts to bargain with Luna, but he wants revenge. At last, he agrees that if Leonora will give herself to him, he will free Manrico. Leonora surreptitiously swallows poison, concealed in a ring, to ensure that she will never be the Count’s mistress.

Scene 2

Manrico’s prison

Azucena is terrified of death, and Manrico soothes her by reminding her of their happy past life in the mountains (Ai nostri monti). Azucena falls asleep. Leonora arrives to free Manrico, but refuses to accompany him. Manrico accuses her of betraying him, and Leonora explains her bargain with the Count, and what she has done to avoid it. She collapses as the Count arrives. As Leonora dies, the Count orders that Manrico be killed at once, and forces Azucena to watch. Azucena begs him to stop and listen to her, but Luna refuses. As Manrico is killed, Azucena announces that Count di Luna has murdered his own brother, and her mother is at last avenged.