ACT  II

Scene i: The Nationalists’ field headquarters — the following day

The Count and his army are awaiting reinforcements for the anticipated attack on Manrico’s rebel forces. Azucena is discovered wandering near their camp and is brought to the Count for questioning. Freely admitting that she is Manrico’s mother, Ferrando recognises her as the woman who stole the Count’s brother many years before. The Count sees his opportunity for revenge on his rival and orders Azucena to be taken prisoner.

Scene ii: Outside a bombed church — later that day

Manrico and Leonora are about to be married. Ruiz, one of Manrico’s soldiers, arrives with the news that Azucena has been captured  by the Count. Calling his men to arms, Manrico  immediately  sets off to rescue his mother.

Scene iii: Outside a Nationalist prison — the following night

Having failed in his rescue attempt, Manrico is now held prisoner under sentence of death. Ruiz brings Leonora to the place where her lover is being held. She plans to plead for his release, horrified to hear Manrico’s voice bidding her farewell. The Count appears, and in a desperate bid to save her lover, Leonora offers herself to him if he will spare Manrico. (She is prepared to take poison rather than fulfil her promise). The Count agrees, giving her permission to free Manrico herself.

Scene iv: Inside the death cell — later that night

Manrico is comforting Azucena in the prison cell. Leonora arrives to tell him that he is free, but he is suspicious of her actions to achieve this outcome. Manrico rejects Leonora, but as she confesses what she has done, the poison starts to take effect. Manrico is filled with remorse. As she dies the Count realises he has been tricked. He decides to kill Manrico. Azucena achieves her revenge by revealing that Manrico was the Count’s long lost brother.