Giuseppe Verdi

Coro degli Armigeri

A technique much employed by Verdi is to alternate main scenes of a drama with others which allow the listener to relax temporarily. These moments are often entrusted to the choir (as in the case of the well-known Rataplan in La forza del destino). In Trovatore, the soldiers' chorus precedes the scene of the capture of the gipsy woman Azucena by Conte di Luna's men. The soldiers are about to attack the fortress of Castellor in which Manrico (the troubadour) and Leonora, together with many other rebels, have found shelter. The very easy-going choir is in blunt contrast to the following scene in which Ferrando, the loyal squire of Conte di Luna, recognizes theold gipsy woman. This recognition marks the beginning of wicked developments for all protagonists in this drama.