|
ACT I:
(The Duel) Outside the guardroom of Aliaferia Palace in Aragon,
Count di Luna's soldiers are waiting to apprehend Manrico, a
troubadour, who rivals the count for the favors of the Lady
Leonora. Ferrando, captain of the guard, keeps his men awake by
telling them of a Gypsy woman burned at the stake years ago for
bewitching Di Luna's younger brother. The Gypsy's daughter sought
vengeance by kidnaping the child and, so the story goes, burning
him at the very stake where her mother died. Di Luna, though,
still hopes his brother lives.
In the palace gardens, Leonora confides to Inez how at a
tournament she placed the victory wreath on the brow of an unknown
knight in black armor; she saw him no more until he came to
serenade her. Though Inez has misgivings, Leonora declares her
love for the handsome stranger. No sooner do the women reenter the
palace than Di Luna arrives to court Leonora. Simultaneously
Manrico's song is heard in the distance, and Leonora rushes to
greet him. The jealous count challenges Manrico to a duel, and
they hurry away.
ACT II: (The Gypsy) As dawn breaks in the Biscay mountains, Gypsies sing
at work with hammer and anvil. Azucena - the Gypsy's daughter
described by Ferrando - relives her mother's fiery execution,
recalling the dying woman's plea for vengeance. Manrico asks to
hear her full story, becoming confused when Azucena, overwhelmed
with memories, blurts out that by mistake she hurled her own son
into the flames. Assuring him of a mother's love, Azucena makes
Manrico swear revenge, but he says a strange power stayed his hand
when he could have killed Di Luna in the duel. A messenger brings
news that Leonora, thinking Manrico dead, plans to enter a
convent. Despite Azucena's pleas, Manrico rushes away.
Di Luna, burning with passion for Leonora, waits by the cloister
to kidnap her. When she enters with the nuns, he strides forward,
only to be halted by Manrico, who suddenly appears with his men.
As the forces struggle, the lovers escape.
ACT III: (The Gypsy's Son) Di Luna has pitched camp near the bastion of
Castellor, where Manrico has taken Leonora. After soldiers sing of
their eagerness for victory, Ferrando leads in Azucena, who was
found nearby. The Gypsy describes her poor, lonely life and says
she is only searching for her son. Di Luna reveals his identity,
at which Azucena recoils and is recognized by Ferrando as the
supposed murderer of Di Luna's baby brother. The count orders her
burned at the stake.
Inside the castle, Manrico assures Leonora her love makes him
invincible. As the couple prepares to go to the wedding chapel,
Manrico's aide Ruiz bursts in to say that Azucena has been seized
and tied to a stake. Manrico stares in horror at the distant pyre,
which has been lit. He runs to his mother's rescue, vowing
vengeance.
ACT IV: (The Torture) Ruiz brings Leonora to the foot
of the captured Manrico's prison tower, where she voices her
undying love and prays for his release. Monks are heard intoning a
doleful Miserere for the soul of the condemned, while Manrico
sings farewell from inside the bastion. Leonora resolves to save
him. When Di Luna appears, Leonora agrees to yield to him but
secretly swallows poison.
In their cell, Manrico comforts Azucena, who longs for their home
in the mountains. No sooner does the old Gypsy fall asleep than
Leonora rushes in to tell her lover he is saved, urging him to
flee. Manrico comprehends the price of his freedom and denounces
her, but the poison begins to take effect. He takes her in his
arms as she dies. Furious at being cheated of his prize, Di Luna
sends Manrico to the executioner's block, while Azucena staggers
to her feet to see the ax fall. She cries out that her mother is
avenged: Di Luna has killed his own brother.
Source: Metopera
Website - Comments: John W. Freeman |
