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Part I: The Duel
Scene 1: Count di Luna’s campCount di Luna’s officer Ferrando orders his men to watch for the mysterious troubadourwho Luna believes is his rival for the love of Leonora. While they wait, Ferrando tellsthe story of how the Count’s infant brother Garzia mysteriously disappeared (Abbiettazingara). One day, an old gypsy woman was discovered by Garzia’s cradle. The childbecame sickly soon after, so the gypsy was arrested for witchcraft, and burned at thestake. On the day of the execution Garzia disappeared, and the charred remains of a babywere found in the gypsy’s funeral pyre. The gypsy’s daughter was suspected, but couldnot be found. Ferrando reminds his men that the old Count di Luna’s last request wasfor his son to find Garzia, whom he believed had survived. Ferrando claims the ghostof the old gypsy woman still roams at night. As midnight chimes, the men disperse.
Scene 2: The palace gardensLeonora tells her companion Ines about the mysterious man she met before the war.He serenades her each night as her troubadour (Tacea la notte placida). Ines suggests itwould be safer for Leonora to forget him, but Leonora declares she would rather die(Di tale amor).
As Count di Luna searches for Leonora, he hears the voice of the troubadour – Manrico– singing a serenade (Deserto sulla terra). Leonora hurries to meet Manrico, and is confrontedby Luna. Manrico mistakenly suspects that Leonora has betrayed him (Qual voce!… Digeloso amor sprezzato). The Count and Manrico agree to fight a duel.
Part II: The Gypsy
Scene 1: The gypsy campIn the gypsy camp, Azucena recalls the horror of her mother’s death, and her vow toavenge her (Stride la vampa). Azucena tells Manrico about what happened to the oldCount di Luna’s younger son: she had intended to burn him on her mother’s funeralpyre, but in her disturbed state of mind killed her own child instead. Manrico asks ifthis means that he is not Azucena’s son. Azucena feigns confusion, but assures Manricoof her love for him. Manrico tells Azucena about his duel with Luna: he was victoriousbut felt irresistibly compelled to spare his rival (Mal reggendo). Manrico’s comrade Ruizarrives with the news that Leonora is about to become a nun. Manrico determines tofind Leonora (Perigliarti ancor languente).
Scene 2: A conventThe Count di Luna is still very much in love with Leonora and plans to kidnap her fromthe convent (Il balen del suo sorriso). He and his men prepare to strike (Per me ora fatale).Leonora enters with the nuns to take her vows. Before Luna can intervene, Manrico’smen surround him and his soldiers, and Manrico and Leonora escape.
Part III: The Gypsy’s Son
Scene 1: The Count’s campThe Count’s men prepare for the next day’s battle (Squilli, echeggi la tromba guerriera).Ferrando drags in Azucena, who was found wandering near the camp. Azucena pleadsher innocence, but Ferrando recognizes her as the suspected murderer of the Count’sinfant brother. Luna condemns her to death by fire.
Scene 2: An army camp, commanded by the Count’s enemiesLeonora and Manrico are about to be married. Leonora is anxious for Manrico’s safety inthe forthcoming battle, and he attempts to calm her. Ruiz comes to inform Manrico thatCount di Luna has condemned Azucena to be burnt to death. Manrico gathers his menand prepares to attack the Count’s army (Di quella pira).
Part IVScene 1: Outside Manrico’s prisonManrico’s attack has failed and now he and Azucena are the Count’s prisoners.Leonora has Ruiz conduct her to where Manrico is being held. The suffering of theprisoners moves her (D’amor sull’ali rosee) and awakens her courage. Manrico calls toLeonora, bidding her farewell.
Leonora attempts to bargain with Luna, but he wants revenge. At last, he agrees that ifLeonora will give herself to him, he will free Manrico. Leonora surreptitiously swallowspoison, concealed in a ring, to ensure that she will never be the Count’s mistress.
Scene 2: Manrico’s prisonAzucena is terrified of death, and Manrico soothes her by reminding her of their happypast life in the mountains (Ai nostri monti). Azucena falls asleep. Leonora arrives to freeManrico, but refuses to accompany him. Manrico accuses her of betraying him, andLeonora explains her bargain with the Count, and what she has done to avoid it. Shecollapses as the Count arrives. As Leonora dies, the Count orders that Manrico be killedat once, and forces Azucena to watch. Azucena begs him to stop and listen to her, butLuna refuses. As Manrico is killed, Azucena announces that Count di Luna has murderedhis own brother, and her mother is at last avenged.