Il trovatore facts for kids

Musicians called troubadours, like the one in the opera, from the 14th century

Il trovatore (which means The Troubadour) is an Italian opera with four parts, called acts. The music was written by Giuseppe Verdi. The story and words were created by Salvatore Cammarano. It is based on a play called El trovador by Antonio Garcia Gutiérrez. The opera was first shown in Rome on January 19, 1853. It became very popular right away.

Main Characters in the Opera

• Manrico: He is thought to be the son of Azucena. He is also a leader for Prince Urgel's side. (sung by a tenor)
• Leonora: She is a lady who works for the Princess of Aragon. (sung by a soprano)
• Azucena: A gypsy woman with a mysterious past. (sung by a mezzo-soprano)
• Conte di Luna: A young nobleman who is in love with Leonora. (sung by a baritone)
• Ferrando: He is the Captain of the Count's Guard. (sung by a bass)
• Ruis: A soldier who works for Manrico. (sung by a tenor)
• Inez: A close friend of Leonora. (sung by a mezzo-soprano)

The Opera's Exciting Story

The story of Il trovatore takes place in Spain. The country is in the middle of a big conflict. Count di Luna fights for the Prince of Aragon. Manrico, a gypsy, fights for Prince Urgel.

Act 1: Secrets and a Duel

Ferrando tells a story about the old Count's two children. Many years ago, one child died and the other disappeared. People suspected an old gypsy woman. She was punished severely. Her daughter, Azucena, promised to get even for what happened.

In the palace garden, Leonora is waiting for her secret love. Count di Luna is also in love with Leonora. Manrico then appears as Leonora's lover. The two men, Manrico and the Count, have a sword fight.

Act 2: A Gypsy's Past and New Orders

At a gypsy camp, Azucena tells Manrico about a terrible mistake from her past. Years ago, seeking revenge for her mother, she accidentally harmed her own child instead of the Count's son. She tells Manrico to get revenge on Count di Luna. Manrico is then ordered to go and defend a castle called Castellor.

Act 3: A Siege and a Rescue Attempt

Count di Luna's army attacks Castellor. He captures Azucena and sends her away to be punished. Inside the castle, Manrico and Leonora are getting ready to be married. They receive news about Azucena. Manrico quickly leaves to try and save her.

Act 4: Sacrifice and a Shocking Truth

Manrico is captured and sentenced to a harsh punishment along with Azucena. Leonora comes to try and save him. She takes poison to avoid being forced to marry Di Luna. In a fit of anger, Di Luna orders Manrico to be executed. Azucena then tells Di Luna a shocking truth: he has just killed his own brother.

• The Complete Dictionary of Opera & Operetta, James Anderson, Wings Books, 1993.

Images for kids

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  Verdi around 1850, when he wrote Il trovatore

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  Salvatore Cammarano, who wrote the words for the opera

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  Tenor Carlo Baucardé, who was the first to sing the role of Manrico

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  Soprano Rosina Penco, the first Leonora

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  Mezzo Emilia Goggi, the first Azucena

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  Baritone Giovanni Guicciardi, the first Count di Luna

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  A drawing of Manrico's costume for a show in 1883

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  Plácido Domingo (as di Luna), Anna Netrebko (as Leonora), and Francesco Meli (as Manrico) in a 2014 show

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  The ruins of Castellar castle today, near Zaragoza

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  A drawing for the cover of an Il trovatore program from 1956

See also

In Spanish: El trovador (ópera) para niños