"Verdi wrote Il Trovatore (The Troubadour) in what is considered to be his 'middle period', where he experimented with combining social and political themes into his works along with elements of tragedy and comedy. Il Trovatore premiered in Rome in 1853, quickly establishing itself as one of the steadfast favourites of the opera canon. Italian librettist Salvatore Cammarano died before the final completion of the work, with Leone Emanuele Bardare adding the finishing touches.

The story of Il Trovatore is intricate and circular: at its core are the themes of war, love and revenge. The narratives unfold on the misplaced love of a noblewoman for a troubadour, a gypsy woman burnt at the stake, and a good deal more: kidnapping, suicide and murder are all part of a heady brew in which people are connected by life, love and dark secrets."