Il trovatore

The "Anvil Chorus" (Coro di zingari) is performed by a group of gypsies singing the praises of their hard work, accompanied by the actual striking of anvils with hammers. Its energetic, rhythmic nature has made it a staple in popular culture, from Looney Tunes to sports stadiums.

Set during the Spanish Civil War, the plot centers on a tragic case of mistaken identity involving two brothers separated at infancy. The Count di Luna loves Leonora, but she loves the troubadour Manrico, who is actually the Count's long-lost brother, leading to a fatal execution.

Giuseppe Verdi's opera premiered at the Teatro Apollo in Rome in 1853. It was an immediate smash hit, despite being widely criticized by serious critics for its overly convoluted and confusing storyline.

The soprano Leonora sings the beautiful and highly virtuosic aria "Tacea la notte placida" in the first act. Later, she also sings the dramatic "D'amor sull'ali rosee," which famously features a massive, seemingly endless vocal trill at the end.