Il Trovatore (2002)
Review by Dindrane
Film:
DVD:

Features:

• Highlights and synopsis
  
• Meet the cast feature
  
• Costuming feature
  
• Duel choreography feature
  

Rating: NR

Anamorphic: Yes

My Advice: At least rent it.

Everyone, even opera-phobes, know that Verdi’s work stands among opera’s best as the purest, best, and most glorious expressions of this art form. Now, with this BBC version of Verdi’s Il Trovatore, we can see why for ourselves without paying an inordinate sum for tickets to the theatre.

Our story begins outside the guardroom of the Aliaferia Palace in Aragon. Count di Luna’s soldiers are lying in wait to arrest Manrico, the troubadour of the title, who is a rival of the Count’s for the affections of Leonora. While they wait, the captain of the guard tells his men the story of a gypsy the Count had burned at the stake many years ago--it seems that this gypsy woman had bewitched the Count’s younger brother, so the Count had her burned. Azucena, the gypsy woman’s daughter, stole the baby son of the Count and seemed to have him burned in the same flames, as revenge. Leonora, for her part, sings of her love for Manrico.

When we see Azucena next, we learn that she has raised the Count’s son as her own, having accidentally hurled her infant son into the flames with her dying mother. She makes Manrico swear to kill Count de Luna, but Manrico is not sure he can. As Leonora makes her way to a convent where she plans to take the veil, Manrico and de Luna scuffle, but Manrico and Leonora escape together.

Eventually, de Luna’s men capture Azucena, and the Count orders her burned at the stake. Attempting her rescue, Manrico is captured, and Leonora sings dolefully outside his cell. Leonora conceives a plan to rescue Manrico and to escape forever the clutches of the Count...but will she succeed?

Of course this plot is Byzantine and in some ways predictable, but that in no way takes away from the breathtaking performances of each and every singer, or from the emotional impact of the story as it unfolds. This is one of opera’s most beloved pieces for a reason. Combine revenge, true love, and dueling and you’ll get a piece everyone will enjoy.

This disc is sung in Italian with English subtitles, but once you know the story, the actors/singers are so skilled that you won’t need to refer to the subtitles. The emotion, peril, and stress comes across beautifully without knowing the words, which is of course the key and the point to opera. What language the singers are using is irrelevant in most cases.

The extra features list is quite nice here, as well--we have a “meet the cast and characters” list that fills you in on some backstory, as well as giving you a chance to know more about your favorite performers. The highlights section and synopsis will spoil the ending for you, but given the fame of this work, you probably already know how things end. There are also very nice pieces on the costuming and duel choreography that enrich your viewing experience and are just plain interesting on their own. If you’ve ever wondered what goes into creating such a world as this onstage, then you’ll be well-pleased with these features.

In short, this disc will quickly become a favorite of opera-lovers and might just create some new opera fans. If you enjoy strong characters, wonderful music, duels, romance, and good versus evil, then you should love Il Trovatore.