After the success of 'Rigoletto', Verdi called on librettist Salvadore Cammarano in 1851 for his new opera 'Il Trovatore', based on the eponymous play by Spanish playwright Antonio García Gutiérrez. Verdi takes us to 15th century northern Spain to witness the tragic destiny of those under the control of the gypsy Azucena, who seeks to avenge the death of his mother.

The first percussion notes are solemn, setting the tone for Verdi’s masterpiece, whose main themes include abandonment, passion, power, love for one’s parents and vengeance. The music is sometimes tender and sensuous, with exceptional energy and force, revealing daring and mastery in its musical and vocal language.

This production marked a double first: the debut of Russian stage director Dmitri Tcherniakov at La Monnaie and the first Verdi interpretation by Marc Minkowski.

Cast:
- Manrico: Misha Didyk
- Leonora: Marina Poplavskaya
- Azucena: Sylvie Brunet-Grupposo
- Il Conte Di Luna: Scott Hendricks
- Ferrando: Giovanni Furlanetto

Stage direction, Set Design, Costumes: Dmitri Tcherniakov

Bonus: Interview with Dmitri Tcherniakov (6 mins)

"Tcherniakov hits a big show again, Scott Hendricks too" - Opera Cake.com

"Brunet-Grupposo (Azucena) sang exceptionally, burrowing deep into her chest tones and rising with a lighter opaque sound to a shining top with something of the generosity of the late Rita Gorr." - Opera News.com

HD recording: La Monnaie, Brussells - 06/2012
Running time: 143 mins
Booklet: FR / ENG / NL
Subtitles: FR / ENG / DE / NL
16/9, NTSC, PCM Stereo, DTS HD Master Audio 5.1