Verdi G. Romance, cabaletta and 2 arias of Manrico from the opera “Il trovatore”. For voice and piano

The opera “Il Trovatore” was composed by G. Verdi to the libretto by S. Cammarano and L. E. Bardare. The first performance took place in Rome at the Apollo Theatre on January 19, 1853.

The opera was implied to be based on the drama of the same name by the Spanish poet G. A. Guti?rrez. It was staged in Madrid (1836).

The action takes place in Spain at the beginning of the 15th century. The gypsy Asucena revenges Count di Luna the Elder for her mother. It was Count di Luna to have ordered her mother’s death penalty on the fire. Thus Asucena abducts the Count’s younger son to avenge her mother. Having kidnapped the child, the gypsy decides to throw him to the fire. Only being almost insane Asucena takes her own baby for the stolen one. She suddenly discovers, that her own son is killed, while the Count’s baby is alive.

Manrico is brought up by Asucena, as if he were her flesh and blood. He even intercepted her hatred for the oppressors, among whom there is his own brother Count di Luna. Manrico doesn’t know about their blood brotherhood, so as the Count doesn’t. Therefore he becomes the leader of rebellion against di Luna. Meanwhile Manrico is in love with fine Leonora. Di Luna also desires Leonora, but she rejects him. Enraged Count makes an assault upon Manrico and wounds him. Leonora considers her beloved to be dead and resigns to the monastery. Searching for her son everywhere, Asucena is caught by the Count. She is imprisoned. Di Luna is going to execute her. Manrico tried to set her free; however, he is also seizured and sentenced to death. Leonora penetrates into the prison for to see Manrico, but she already poisened herself for to die in his arms. Manrico is executed according to Count di Luna’s order. Asucena divulges the secret of relationship between Manrico and the Count. Then she falls dead.

Contents:

Romanza di Manrico (atto I) (Music text example)
Aria di Manrico (atto III)
Cabaletta di Manrico (atto III)
Aria di Manrico (atto IV)