【Il Trovatore】Synopsis, Character Map

How dare you come to the palace when Count Urgell’s supporters have been sentenced to death!

Ferrando
Keep a close eye on it. Count Luna is currently in the vicinity of Leonore’s room. We have to ensure his safety.

It’s no wonder Count Luna is wary. The Troubadour sings in her garden every night.

Attendants
Oh, I’m sleepy. To chase away the sleepiness, tell me about the Count’s brother.

Guards
We want to hear about it too.

Ferrando
You can all listen.

The previous Earl had two children. Count Luna and her brother who is still missing.

A long time ago, as the infant brother was falling asleep, someone crept upon him. The nanny, who was sleeping nearby, woke up and looked to see who was there.

Di due figli vivea padre beato

Guards
Who was it?

Ferrando
It was an elderly lady. The elderly lady said that she had snuck into the room to tell the fortune of the infant. The nanny screamed, and the elderly lady left.

From that day on, the younger brother began to run a fever and cry through the night. The elderly lady had put a curse on him.

The elderly lady was soon captured and burned at the stake. However, the elderly lady had one daughter. The remaining daughter plotted revenge against the Count’s family.

For some reason, the bones of a baby were found in the ashes of the elderly lady at the stake. The Count panics and looks for his son, but cannot find him. At the same time, the elderly lady’s daughter also disappeared.

The previous Count had believed that his son was alive and well. He asked Count Luna to look for his brother, and he died.

Oh, I was there and I know the face of the woman. I want to catch that gypsy woman myself!

Abbietta zingara, fosca vegliarda!

Attendants and Guards
Diabolical witch. Go to hell.

Ines
You’re here? The queen wants to see you.

I can’t believe you wait for him night after night. You are in dangerous love. When did this love begin?

A long time ago, in a jousting match, an unknown knight won a victory. I placed a crown of flowers on the knight to give him glory. Civil war broke out, and many years passed.

One peaceful night, a minstrel’s voice echoed in the garden. It was a Troubadour voice calling my name. I looked from the balcony and saw it was that knight. I felt like I was in heaven.

Tacea la notte placida

Ines
Your story makes me uneasy. I have an ominous feeling. Please listen to the words from friendship.

I don’t know what you’re talking about.

This love cannot be expressed in words. My destiny is with him. If I do not live with him, I will die for him.

Di tale amor che dirsi

It’s a quiet night. The queen is probably asleep. Leonora, I can see the light in her room. She must be awake.

Please listen to my thoughts. Maybe tonight is my chance to tell Leonora how I feel. No, there’s a Troubadour here!

Tace la notte!

Manrico’s voice
I am alone in the world and have no luck in battle. The only hope is the maiden’s sincerity. That’s all this Troubadour has. If I can win your heart, I will be better than the king.

Deserto sulla terra

(A brazen one.)

My precious!

(I’ve been hugged. What should I do?)

Manrico’s voice
Unfaithful woman!

Oh, that’s the voice. I made a mistake because of the darkness.

(To Manrico)
Please don’t misunderstand me. I love you. You are the only thing my heart desires and loves. Forever.

You love him that much.

Hey, you. If you’re not a coward, tell me your name.

I’m Manrico. You can call the guards and execute the sentence.

You have already been sentenced to death for your hostile actions during the civil war. You’ve been sentenced to death, and yet here you are. Your fate has been decided.

Please forgive us.

My heart burns with jealousy. “I love you.” How dare I say those words to that man! With that one word, the fate of that man was decided.

Di geloso amor sprezzato

Count. Please have mercy. Let your anger be directed at me. Pour out your wrath on the woman who insulted you.

You conceited man. Your sword will kill me. But Leonora’s love has made me invincible.

Gypsies
It’s dawn. Let’s get to work. Grab your hammers. Who’s going to color the gypsy life? It’s the gypsy woman.

Vedi! Le fosche notturne spoglie（Anvil Chorus）

Once, a fierce flame made a sound. People surrounded the flames and shouted with joy. As the crowd watched, a woman was burned at the stake as a sacrifice. The cursed flame rose high into the sky.

Stride la vampa

Gypsies
Your song is poignant.

It’s a song based on a true story, so it’s poignant.

(In a low voice to Manrico) Take the enemy, take the enemy.

(My mother says this strange phrase all the time.)

It’s time for you to tell me the true story behind that song.

It’s about your grandmother. It’s the story of my mother, who was burned at the stake because the Count resented her.

The terrified woman was caught by the officials. I was carrying a baby at the time, and I desperately chased after my mother. On the way to the place of execution, my mother said to me, “Take the enemy” she said.

I immediately kidnapped the Count’s baby. When I returned to the execution site, I heard my mother’s voice shouting from the flames, Take the enemy. In my excitement and delirium, I managed to throw the baby into the flames.

As the flames burned, I suddenly became calm and saw the baby of the hated Count in front of me.

Condotta ell’era in ceppi

What?

I have put my child into the flames!

How cruel. But whose child am I?

You’re my son. When I remember what happened, I get confused and say strange things.

I’m a kind mother who nurses you when you’re hurt. The other day, when you were wounded in the duel with Count Luna, I rushed to save your life, didn’t I?

That’s right. You saved my life.

Why didn’t you finish him off during the duel with Count Luna?

I can’t explain it myself.

There was a moment when I could have taken Count Luna’s life. But then I heard the voice of heaven. Do not do this.

Count Luna’s men immediately attacked me, and I was badly injured.

Mal reggendo all’aspro assalto

But the voice of heaven did not reach the ungrateful Count Luna, and you were wounded. If fate gives you the destiny to fight again, you must kill him.

Ma nell’alma dell’ingrato

Yes, I promise. I’ll kill Count Luna.

Take the enemy.

Leonora received an erroneous report that you were dead. She has decided to enter a convent.

What? ! I’m going to lose her. I have to go to the convent.

Don’t go. Your wounds have not healed.

Perigliarti ancor languente

Let me go. If I lose Leonora, I’m dead.

The ritual has not yet begun. I’m just in time. I must stop Leonora at all costs before she goes the way of the god.

Ferrando
It is too bold an act.

Bold. That’s right. For me, she evokes a burning love affair and fierce self-esteem. I will not allow Leonora to become someone else’s. She is mine.

Her smile is more beautiful than the brightness of the stars. Oh! Love, my fiery love. Tell her how much I love her.

Il balen del suo sorriso

Ferrando
Please reconsider. It is too bold an action.

Shut up. You will do as I tell you. You take cover behind those trees.

The time of destiny has come. Joy awaits me. Not even god can take her away from me.

Per me, ora fatale

Nuns
O Daughter of Eve. All the events of this world will vanish before death. Abandon your thoughts and look up to heaven.

Ah!… se l’error t’ingombra

Ines
Are you going to be away from us forever?

Don’t cry, everyone. Now that I have lost Manrico, I should dedicate myself to God. Someday, I will be united with him in heaven.

I won’t let you go. You’re going to the altar of marriage with me.

Can I trust you? Is this a dream, an illusion? My heart will not be able to bear so much joy. Have you returned from heaven, or am I in heaven?

E deggio… e posso crederlo?

Looks like hell has missed its prey. Abomination. If you want to live, stay away from me, stay away from her.

Heaven did not welcome me. Nor did it send me down the road to hell. God had saved me.

Leonora. Come with me.

You must not go.

(That man is terrifying.)

Now, you must go with me.

I’ve lost my reason and my mind is filled with anger!

Ferrando
They’re armed. Please give up.

Soldiers
Right now, we play with dice. But in a little while, we’ll be playing a completely different game.

Or co’ dadi ma fra poco

Ferrando
Soldiers. Tomorrow we will attack the castle of Castellar. Make your preparations. You’ll be rewarded handsomely.

Soldiers
Forward, marching bugle. Tomorrow our banner will be flying in the castle.

Squilli, echeggi la tromba

The one I love is in the arms of my love interest. I must endure the pain for now. Tomorrow, I will separate us. Leonora!

In braccio al mio rival!

Ferrando
A gypsy woman was wandering around near the camp. The soldiers are catching her.

Help me. I haven’t done anything wrong.

Answer my questions. If you lie to me, I will show no mercy.

I am a gypsy. I live free. I’ve come down the mountain from Vizcaya to find my son.

(Vizcaya?)

Ferrando
(The name of the place! And that woman’s face!)

It’s a poor life. I’m happy because I have my only son. But my son left me, and I’m looking for him.

Giorni poveri vivea

Did you spend much time in Vizcaya? Do you remember? The Count’s son was kidnapped from the castle and taken to that place.

Who are you?

I’m the brother of the kid who was taken. Have you heard anything about him?

(Ah!)

Ferrando
(I knew it was her.)
Count Luna. This woman must have kidnapped your brother.

Your fate has been decided.
(To the soldiers) Tie her up tighter.

Manrico, why don’t you come and save me! To save my mother!

You’re Manrico’s mother! Destiny has returned to my hands.

Shame on you, loosen the rope. Wicked son of cruel parents. God is on the side of the poor.

Deh, rallentate, o barbari

Manrico is the son of a gypsy. If I hurt his mother, he will be hurt. I can avenge my brother!

The danger is growing. Tomorrow at dawn, this castle will be attacked. But we will be victorious. We have the strength and the courage.

Our marriage is illuminated by a dark light.

Please let go of your ominous premonitions.

My love. It is at times like these that a sublime love will speak to your heart. By making each other my companion, I will grow stronger. But if I should die, my thoughts will go to you.

Now let us go together to the altar.

Ah! sì, ben mio, coll’essere

Ruiz
Oh, my God. Come to the balcony. There’s a gypsy woman in shackles. They’ve already got the flames ready to burn her at the stake.

That’s my mother. Coward. Gather your men now. We’re advancing with the army immediately.

The flames of that executioner’s table will set my heart on fire and set it ablaze. My poor mother, I must hurry to save her at all costs.

Di quella pira

Ruiz
Manrico is imprisoned in this tower. You may be able to hear the voices of those detained as political prisoners.

Please leave me. Don’t worry about me.

I have this ring as a talisman.

Love should ride on rosy wings and comfort the poor prisoner’s heart. Let him revive the days of love.

D’amor sull’ali rosee

The voice of sorrow
Pity us. Pity those whose journey of no return is near.

Miserere

I hear a horrible prayer.

( Manrico’s voice from inside the tower )
Goodbye, Leonora. I hope you don’t forget me.

I can’t forget you.

There is nothing in this world as strong as my love. I will save you with my death. If I cannot, I will only die with you.

Tu vedrai che amore in terra

You heard the order. At daybreak, execute Manrico. His mother will be burned at the stake.

The monarch has given me all the authority in this matter, but I would be abusing my authority. I can’t believe I’m going this far for Leonora. She’s a disaster for me.

I’ve been looking for Leonora since I captured Manrico, but I can’t find her. I wonder where she is.

I’m here.

Please look at my tears. Please save Manrico. You can kill me. Please kill me and trample on my corpse.

Mira, di acerbe lagrime

The more you love that guy, the more my anger will only flare-up.

I will give you my body. Let me see Manrico once. And let him go. Then I will be yours.

Is this my dream? If you swear to it, I will do so.

You’ll get my corpse.

He will be saved. Now I shall wait for the final hour, without fear.

Vivrà! contende il giubilo

That man will live.

Oh, I want you to tell me again and again that I’m yours. I still can’t believe it. Please help me clear my mind of doubt.

Mom, aren’t you going to sleep?

I can’t sleep, so I’m praying. They’re taking me to the stake. Please protect your mother. I’m going to be burned at the stake!

They took your grandmother to the execution chamber that day. Horrible flames. My mother’s hair was on fire. Oh, who will save me from that horrible sight?

Please, sleep well.

You’re right. I’m tired.

(Asleep) Let’s go back to our mountain. Let’s have fun together.

Ai nostri monti… ritorneremo

God, is the twilight deceiving me?

Ciel! non m’inganna

It’s me. You will not die. I have come to save you. You will pass through that door and leave this place.

But what about you?

I’ll stay here. Please hurry. Your life is at stake!

My life is not important. Look at my eyes. What price did you pay to get them? All right. You got it from my love interest. You sold our love.

Please change your mind and run away. If you miss the time, not even God can save your life.

Go away. I hate you. I curse you!

My love, what’s wrong?

I will be dead soon. The poison worked faster than I thought it would.

Why would you do that?

I was willing to die for you rather than live as someone else’s.

Prima che d’altri vivere

You tricked me and chose to die for him?

Foolish me. Why did I curse you?

The time has come. I am going to die. I wanted to die for you rather than live with another man.

Take this man to the execution block!

Mom, goodbye!

Manrico. Where’s my son?

He’s going to die. You can see it from here.

Oh, no. You have to listen to me!

He died.

He was your brother! I have avenged an enemy. Mom.

What a horror! I am still alive.