Synopsis

One night, many years before, a gypsy woman had been discovered in the castle of the Count di Luna, leaning over the cradle of his younger son. Challenged, she claimed to have come only to read the boy's fortune, but when the baby's health began to fail, she was tracked down to a gypsy encampment and burned at the stake for witchcraft.

That gypsy's daughter, Azucena, herself the mother of a baby son, witnessed the burning and her mother's cry for vengeance. Entering the palace, she stole the boy from his cradle, planning to throw the child into the flames she rekindled over her mother's ashes. In her delirium, however, it was her own son she killed.

A few days later, the old Count di Luna died. His elder son, the new Count, vowed to take vengeance of his brother's death.
Some fifteen years have passed..........

Act 1
The Duel

Scene 1
In the palace of Aliaferia, Ferrando, captain of the guard, waits with his men for the return of his master, the Count di Luna, commander-in-chief of the King's army. An unknown troubadour has been serenading Leonora, a lady-in-waiting to the Queen of Aragon, and the Count, himself in love with Leonora, seeks to remove his rival. While waiting, Ferrando tells of the kidnapping and death of the Count's brother.

Scene 2
Leonora and her maid Inez meet in the palace garden. Leonora tells Inez of her love for an unnamed knight who, since winning a tournament, has begun seranading her.

The Count arrives to hear the troubadour's singing. At first, Leonora mistakes the Count for her lover, but soon realises her error. The troubadour enters and reveals himself to be Manrico, an outlaw follower of Prince Urgel, whose claim to the throne of Aragon has led to civil war. The two men begin to fight.

Act II
The Gypsy

Scene 1
Dawn breaks over the gypsy camp; the men begin their work. Azucena reveals the story of her mother's death, but, as Manrico begins to doubt his gypsy birth, she quickly retracts the story: her words were merely fancy. Had she not proved her maternal love after a recent battle by searching Manrico out when he had been reported dead and nursing him back to health? But why, shortly before then, had he spared the life of the Count di Luna in their dual? Manrico does not know: he simply could not bring himself to kill the Count. A messenger from Prince Urgel arrives: Manrico must take command of the stronghold of Castellor. Leonora, meanwhile, thinking Manrico has fallen in battle, is about to take the veil in a convent near the castle.

Scene 2
Outside the convent, the Count, believing his rival to have been killed, awaits his chance to kidnap Leonora. His men fear this breach of sanctity. As she enters, and the Count makes his move, Manrico appears as though from the dead. His soldiers disarm the Count and Manrico leaves with Leonora.

INTERVAL