- As Aragon descends into unrest, a count jealously fights for a noble lady's heart. But she has already given it to a passionate troubadour whose mother holds a terrible secret. This Verdi masterpiece overflows with dramatic tension and musical geniality, resulting in a story that increases in intensity throughout. Maria Agresta plays the unfortunate Leonora alongside Ludovic Tézier and Francesco Meli as her rival admirers in this new production at the Teatro Real.
- Act I
Within the guardroom at the Palace of Aragon, Captain Ferrando orders his men to keep watch while Count di Luna waits underneath Lady Leonora's bedroom. The count is in love with Leonora but she is in love with a troubadour called Manrico. In an effort to keep the guards from falling asleep, Ferrando tells a story about the count:
Many years ago, a Gypsy woman made the count's baby brother turn weak and ill. The king - the young boys's father - sentenced her to be burned at the stake. As she burned, she commanded her daughter, Azucena, to avenge her. Azucena kidnapped the baby and threw him into the fire to burn alongside her mother. Though an infant's bones were found in the ashes, the king refused to believe that they belonged to his son. Several years later, while he lay on his deathbed, he commanded his son, Di Luna, to seek out and punish Azucena.
Inside her room, Leonora confides in her friend, Ines, and tells her she loves Manrico. She hears Manrico's voice outside in the distance and runs outside to greet him. In the dark, she mistakes Di Luna for Manrico, but luckily Manrico soon appears. She quickly runs to his side to embrace him. In a fit of jealousy, Di Luna challenges Manrico to a duel, which he accepts.
Act II
Inside the Gypsy camp, Azucena recalls her mother's plea for vengeance. She tells her son, Manrico, a life-changing story: when she tried to kill the king's son, she mistakenly grabbed her own baby and threw him into the fire instead. Manrico realises he is not her biological son, but promises her that his love for her is unchanged. He swears to his mother that he will help her seek vengeance, and regrets the fact that something prevented him from killing Di Luna even though he won the duel. A messenger arrives bringing news that Leonora, believing that Manrico is dead, has entered into a convent. Determined to stop her, Manrico makes haste to Leonora despite his mother's objections.
Outside the convent, Di Luna waits for the right moment to kidnap Leonora. She and the nuns appear in procession and Di Luna sets his plan in motion. At that very moment, Manrico arrives and saves Leonora. The two quickly set off hand in hand, escaping Di Luna and his men.
Act III
Di Luna has set up camp not far from the castle where Manrico and Leonora are staying. Ferrando brings in Azucena after finding her wandering outside. She claims to be looking for her lost son. When Di Luna reveals his identity, Azucena is taken aback. In that moment, Ferrando recognizes her as the murderer of Di Luna's younger brother. Di Luna orders her to be burnt at the stake.
Inside the castle, Manrico and Leonora are about to give their hands to one another in marriage. As they say their vows, Manrico's friend, Ruiz, rushes in to tell them that Azucena has been captured and sentenced to burn at the stake. Stopping everything, Manrico summons his men and desperately prepares to attack.
Act IV
Manrico has been captured along with his mother. Wanting nothing more than to save the man she loves, Leonora pledges herself to Di Luna in exchange for Manrico's freedom. But before he can possess her, she secretly swallows some poison.
Within their cell, Manrico comforts his aging mother, who is falling asleep. Leonora arrives and urges Manrico to escape. However, after hearing the deal she made with Di Luna, Manrico feels betrayed and refuses to leave his cell. Within moments, the effects of the poison begin to show. As she dies in agony in Manrico's arms, Leonora confesses that she prefers to die with him than to marry another. Having heard Leonora's final words, the count orders Manrico's execution. Azucena awakes and tries to stop di Luna, but it is too late. She cries out that her mother has finally been avenged, for Di Luna has killed his own brother.
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