Set in 15th-century northern Spain, Il trovatore tells the story of Manrico, a gypsy troubadour who has fallen in love with the Duchess of Aragon. However, the Count di Luna is also attracted to Aragon, and when he attempts to take her from Manrico, the troubadour takes the count’s life in a duel, not realizing they were brothers, and that his mother Azucena actually stole him from a family of royals many years ago.
This tale of chivalry, honor, valor, and tragic love features one of the great mezzo-soprano roles, the gypsy Azucena, a signature role for American mezzo-soprano Dolora Zajick. Called ‘a force of operatic nature’ (LA Times), Zajick is widely considered one of the true dramatic Verdi mezzo-sopranos, typified by the famous and difficult roles of Azucena, Ameris in Aida, and Eboli in Don Carlos. Zajick has sung these roles around the world from Covent Garden to the Metropolitan Opera including the major European houses in Paris, Germany, and Italy. Saturday, November 23, 1 to 3:30 pm.
Cast:
Tamara Wilson: Leonora
Marco Berti: Manrico
Dolora Zajick: Azucena
Tómas Tómasson: Count di Luna
Vuyani Mlinde: Ferrando
Patrick Summers: Conductor
Stephen Lawless: Director
Richard Bado: Chorus Master