

Verdi
Il Trovatore
Sydney Opera House15–30 July 2022
Verdi
Il Trovatore
Sydney Opera House15–30 July 2022
Choose a date to see seats and prices
See All Events2022
July
15 Jul 2022
19 Jul 2022
23 Jul 2022
25 Jul 2022
28 Jul 2022
30 Jul 2022
Venue
Joan Sutherland Theatre, Sydney Opera House
Bennelong Point, Sydney
Language
Sung in Italian with English surtitles.
Running time
Approximately 2 hours and 25 minutes, including one interval.
Please note
This production contains adult themes and violence.
Production patron
Proudly supported by
Il Trovatore Syndicate
This burning tale of witchcraft, murder and recompense demands four of the world’s most powerful voices.
Blinded by rage as her mother burns at the stake, Azucena throws the executioner’s child into the flames. But in the darkness, she has made a fatal mistake, and it is her own child that burns. She seizes the executioner’s child and raises him as her own: a family secret that will haunt the next generation until their deaths.
Verdi had a taste for high drama, and Il Trovatore has all the hallmarks of a great story, enhanced by monumental digital stagecraft: a love triangle, an intergenerational quest for revenge, and a woman willing to make the ultimate sacrifice for the man she loves.
But the real attraction lies in the sensational music: from the famous Anvil Chorus to the series of stunning arias penned for the four leads. It is some of Verdi’s finest music, and demands the finest of voices. Hear the incomparable Leah Crocetto as Leonora, Elena Gabouri as the haunted Azucena, audience favourite Yonghoon Lee as the title character Manrico and Maxim Aniskin as Count di Luna.
Cast & Creative
Conductor
Director
Set Designer
Costume Designer
Lighting Designer
Digital Content
Manrico
Leonora
Azucena
Count di Luna
Ferrando
Inez
Ruiz
Old Gypsy
Messenger
Opera Australia Chorus
Opera Australia Orchestra

Cheat Sheet: Il Trovatore
A cheat's guide to Verdi's opera of romance and revenge
What happens in the story? Who was the composer? What should I expect from the music? Here’s everything you need to know…

The Costumes
Here are just a few glimpses of the beautiful costumes Italian costume designer Gianluca Falaschi has designed for this spectacular new production.

Meet the Singers
Find out about the voices in our brand-new production, directed by Davide Livermore.

Il Trovatore Syndicate
Directly contribute to Opera Australia’s diverse repertoire by supporting this brand new production in 2022. As a syndicate member you will embark on a journey to follow the creative process. You will be invited to closed rehearsals, exclusive behind-the-scenes events and get to know the artists and creative team behind this ambitious new production.
For more information about joining the Il Trovatore Syndicate with a tax deductible gift, please contact Chantal Lewis, Development Director: chantal.lewis@opera.org.au

Enjoy dinner before the opera
Overture Dining at Sydney Opera House
Allow us to make your dinner reservation for you: at Overture Dining in the Northern Foyer of the Joan Sutherland Theatre. You’ll be served a three-course menu for just $89.

Keeping you safe at the theatre
COVID Safety
Our performances will comply with all Public Health Orders and adhere to our epidemiologist-approved COVID-Safe Plan, including any requirement at the time of the performance that audience members be vaccinated.
Synopsis
Fifteen years ago a Romani woman was burnt at the stake for allegedly bewitching a child of the noble di Luna family. The Romani woman’s daughter, Azucena, witnessed her mother’s death and swore revenge. She stole the child’s brother, intending to throw him into the flames of her mother’s still burning pyre. In her frenzy she mistakenly murdered her own child. She was horrified by her mistake but chose to bring up the young Count as her own child in the knowledge that one day she might achieve her revenge upon the child’s real family.
ACT I
Scene i: A Nationalist Barracks during the Spanish Civil War — night
Ferrando relates the tale of the Count’s brother who, as a baby, disappeared from the castle. He also tells the gathered soldiers of an unknown troubadour who has been heard serenading Leonora, currently the subject of the Count’s passion.
Scene ii.’ Leonora’s house — later that night
Late at night Leonora is hoping to be visited by her suitor. Confiding in Inez, she relates how she first encountered the troubadour and admits that she is in love with him. Disregarding Inez’s advice to forget him, Leonora declares that she would rather die than live without her mysterious visitor. The Count waits outside in the dark, intending to confront Leonora. Hearing the troubadour approaching, he tries to hide, but is spotted by Leonora who mistakes him for her lover. As she is about to embrace him, the troubadour, Manrico, arrives and accuses Leonora of being unfaithful. The confrontation of the two rivals ends with a fight.
Scene iii: The remains of a Republican encampment — one week later
Azucena recollects to Manrico the aftermath of a battle between the Nationalists and Republicans when the Republicans were defeated. She then sings about the death of her mother, demanding that Manrico should avenge her. A message arrives informing Manrico that Leonora, believing Manrico to have been killed in battle, is about to enter a convent. He hastily departs, ignoring Azucena’s pleas.
Scene iv: A Convent — the same evening
The Count and his men are waiting for Leonora as she arrives at the Convent. Just as the Count attempts to seize her, Manrico arrives, supported by his men. He escapes with his love.
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.