First Performed : Teatro Apollo, Rome, Italy, January 19, 1853
Time an place: Fifteenth-century Biscay and Aragon
The Aliaferia Palace: Ferrando, the Captain of the Guard, warns the soldiers on guard to watch for the troubadour who continues to serenade the Duchess Leonora (with whom the Count is in love) and then tells the story of the Count's brother.
An old gypsy (Abbietta zingara) was found standing over the infant boy's cradle and was later burned at the stake. In revenge, the gypsy's daughter stole the boy; later, the bones of an infant were found by the stake where the mother had been burned. The old Count later believes his son had not been killed and orders his heir to keep searching for his brother.
The garden of the Palace: Leonora tells Inez about her love and that she thinks the troubadour is one and the same. Count di Luna is about to approach Leonora to declare his love when the troubadour is heard. Count di Luna is fiercely jealous and, upon approach of the singer, challenges and the two men exit the stage with swords drawn to fight a duel.
A gypsy camp near Biscay: The gypsies sing as they work (the famous Anvil Chorus) then Azucena tells of a woman being burned at the stake. Upon request of Manrico, she tells of the death of her mother, kidnapping the old Count's son and taking both boys (her son and the Count's) to the cite of the burning. She casts a baby into the flames but suddenly realizes that she had killed her own son and the Count's child remains alive.
Confused, Manrico asks, "Then whose son am I?" and is answered, "You are my true son!". A messenger arrives and reveals that Leonora, thinking Manrico dead, plans to join a convent. Manrico departs.
Cloister of a convent near Castellor: Count di Luna and his men have come to abduct Leonora, but Manrico appears with a superior force and Leonora gladly goes away with him.
Count di Luna's camp outside Castellor: As his forces prepare to assault the rebel stronghold, Count di Luna can think of nothing but the fair Leonora. Ferrando brings in the captured Azucena and then realizes her to be gypsy who stole the Count's brother. The Count decides to carry out her punishment immediately.
The chapel inside Castellor: While Manrico and Leonora are preparing to be married, Ruiz bring the news that Azucena is to be burned at the stake. Manrico reveals that she is his mother and rushes to her aid.
Outside the prison of the Aliaferia Palace: Ruiz shows Leonora where Manrico is being held and she resolves to obtain his release at all cost. The Count comes out of the dungeon and Leonora offers herself in exchange for Manrico's life. The Count fails to take her seriously and she takes the poison hidden in her ring.
A dungeon in the tower: Manrico holds his mother and tells her to sleep. Leonora enters to tell Manrico that he is free and is accused of betraying their love. He realizes the truth of her sacrifice when she collapses. The Count arrives just a Leonora dies, has Manrico taken out to be executed immediately and forces Azucena to watch. She triumphantly tells the Count "He was your brother!" and dies calling "Mother, you are avenged!"