new production
A desperate mother, jealousy, ill-fated romance - with all the ingredients to create an unforgettable melodrama, Verdi's Il Trovatore is another of the composer's irresistible masterpieces. Returning to the Kennedy Center Opera House for the first time in nearly 20 years, don't miss this brand new production from the Washington National Opera.
What is the story?
First performed in 1853, the barnstorming Il Trovatore is forged in fiery flames as a suspected witch is burnt at the stake, setting off a spiral of secrecy, revenge, and tragedy. Around about the same time, the son of a local aristocrat also goes missing. As time wears on, the fate of young lovers Manrico and Leonora becomes entwined with the vengeful Count Di Luna and the gypsy woman's daughter Azucena. Tensions escalate when it comes to light that local ruler Count di Luna's missing brother may have also been lost to the fire...