Act I:  The Duel

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Scene I – Courtyard of the Palace of Aliaferia in Aragon

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Ferrando, captain of the guard in the service of the young Count di Luna, interrupts the drowsy night watch hours with a harrowing tale. Many years ago a Romani woman was burned as a witch for supposedly casting a spell on the count’s infant brother. The woman’s daughter, Azucena, stole the child in order to slay him and avenge her mother’s death. Later, the bones of a child were found smoldering in the embers of a fire. The count has been searching for Azucena ever since.

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Scene 2 – Gardens of the Palace of Aliaferia

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The beautiful Leonora confides in her companion Inez that she has fallen in love with a mysterious troubadour who appears at her balcony.  The Count, in love with Leonora, is devoured with jealousy of this unknown troubadour, who now comes to serenade Leonora. In the darkness of the night, Leonora mistakes the count for this troubadour, Manrico.  Manrico appears and a duel ensues.  Manrico overcomes the Count, but a mysterious sensation tells him to spare the Count’s life.

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Act II:  The Romani Woman

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Scene 1 – The foot of a Mountain in Biscay

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The mountain people begin their day’s work.  Manrico is recovering from wounds received several months ago in a battle against the forces of Aragon led by Count di Luna.  Azucena recalls the horrific events surrounding her mother’s death and reveals that, out of her mind with grief, she threw her own baby into the flames. She reared the Count’s brother as her son, Manrico.  Diverting Manrico’s suspicion, Azucena urges Manrico never to allow the count to escape again but to kill without hesitation. A messenger brings orders from the Prince of Biscay that Manrico is to take over the command of the Castle Castellor and news that Leonora, believing Manrico dead, is seeking asylum in a convent and that the count is now on his way to abduct her.

 

Scene 2 – Convent cloisters near Castellor

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At night the count and his men approach the convent to seize Leonora, but Manrico and his forces arrive in time to rescue her and take her away.

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INTERMISSION

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Act III:  The Son

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Scene I – Count di Luna’s military camp

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The count has laid siege to Castellor where Manrico has taken Leonora.  Azucena, anxious to find her son, attempts to get through the besieging forces. After Ferrando recognizes her as the woman who killed di Luna’s young brother, she is captured and sentenced to be burned at the stake.

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Scene 2 – Grand Hall at Castellor

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Inside the fortress of Castellor, Manrico and Leonora are about to be married.  Ruiz interrupts,  bringing news of Azucena’s capture. Manrico calls for his forces and leads them to rescue her.

 

Act IV:  The Punishment

 

Scene 1 – The tower of the Palace of Aliaferia

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The rescue has failed, and Manrico has been captured. Leonora begs the count to spare Manrico’s life, promising in exchange to marry the count. When the count, happily consenting, leaves for a moment, Leonora takes poison.

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Scene 2 – The Palace dungeon

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Manrico listens to his mother’s hysterical ravings and tries to comfort her with thoughts of their life in the mountains.  Leonora manages an entrance into the dungeon to tell Manrico he is free.  Manrico suspects the cost of his freedom and curses Leonora.  Leonora lives only long enough to assure Manrico of her faithful love. The count, cheated of his bride, orders Manrico’s death. As Manrico is killed, Azucena shrieks, “He was your brother! O, Mother, you are avenged!”