Di quella pira-Il trovatore by Luciano Pavarotti

We have enjoyed a respite, but we are about to go back into another trilogy highlighting opera, operetta and musical theatre. I can hear the groans right through the screen. We have already dealt with love, in many of its forms. Now, it is time to embark on journey through the world of male choruses. There is usually lots of volume, lots of action and rousing finishes.

As usual, we are going to start with a selection from an opera. This time it is from Giuseppe Verdi’s Il trovatore. According to Wikipedia, in Act III, just as Manrico is about to take his marriage vows with his beloved Leonora, Manrico’s friend, Ruiz, bursts into the chapel to tell Manrico that his Mother is to burned at the stake. Manrico gathers his soldiers and plans to rescue his Mother, Azucena. The aria is “Di quell pira.” The singer is Luciano Pavarotti; the place is the Met in New York; the year is 1972. We go from marriage vows to a declaration of war, all in 2 minutes and 7 seconds. Get your sword out of its scabbard and get ready to follow Manrico into battle.