Fate deals - but death holds all the cards -
in Giuseppe Verdi’s opera of unbridled love, lust and revenge

il trovatore

Friday, march 21, 2025 AT 7:30 PM
Sunday, march 23, 2025 at 3:00 PM

Kendall Main Stage Theater
The College of New Jersey

Sung in Italian with projected English supertitles

Fully staged with stunning virtual sets by J. Matthew Root

Artistic Director Joseph Pucciatti stage directs and conducts the Boheme Opera NJ Orchestra and Chorus

The Story

Fate deals a tragic game of vengeance to the fiery Count di Luna, the dashing Manrico, the beautiful Leonora, the malevolent Azucena…and the one player no one can beat.

The stakes are love and retribution - and Death calls.

When Count di Luna’s father sends Azucena’s mother to the stake, the enraged daughter exacts revenge by hurling her mother’s executioner’s infant son into the same flames – only to learn Fate has already played the first card in a game with only one end. The baby was Azecuna’s – not the elder Count’s. In a sudden maternal moment – and with a twisted sense of retribution – she raises the infant as her own.

Each player takes their place: Count di Luna, a replica of his father in cruelty and lust; Manrico, Azucena’s foundling grown into an outlawed troubadour allied with a rival to the Count; Leonora, a woman in love with Manrico but relentlessly pursued by the Count; Azucena, simmering with hate for the Count and waiting for her ultimate vengeance.

Only when it’s too late do they all learn Fate was dealing them from the bottom of the deck – and Death alone held all the cards.

Tickets

Standard Tickets
Premier: $80 Median: $55 Basic: $35

Wheelchair-Accessible Seating/Tickets
Premier: $55 Basic: $35

Wheelchair Companion Seating/Tickets
Premier: $55 Basic: $35

You will receive a ticket confirmation via email from Boheme Opera. Print your tickets through the link in the confirmation.

Patrons may park in Armstrong Garage Lots 1 and 2. If those lots are full, patrons may park in Lots 3 and 4. For patrons with walking difficulties, there will be a shuttle available from lots 3 and 4 to a drop-off a short walk to the front entrance of Kendall Main Stage Theater. Signs directing patrons to the theater will be located beside campus walkways.

Cast

Ashley Galvani Bell

Leonora

Alison Bolshoi

azucena

John Kun Park

manrico

Daniel Sutin

count di luna

Production Team

Joseph Pucciatti
Artistic Director and
Conductor

Sandra Pucciatti
Managing Director

Delia Vayansky
Production Manager

Jeff Cantor
Associate Production
Manager

Milan Eldridge
Stage Manager

J. Matthew Root
Virtual Set Artist &
Designer

John Bartenstein
Lighting Designer

Patricia DelSordo
Wig, Hair & Makeup
Designer

Jason Milstein
Technical Consultant

explore trovatore

Learn some of the twists and turns Il Trovatore took to get from paper to production.

Get “performance ready" by reading the full program of Il Trovatore, from opening to closing curtain.

Take a moment to understand the historical – and personal – impact of a word intertwined with Il Trovatore.

promotions and packages

Group Discount

Groups of five or more can use code GROUPS for $5 off the base ticket price.
Good for all performances - Premier and Median tickets only.

Purchase tickets before 11:59 pm on February 14 and use code EARLYBIRD for $10 off the base ticket price. Good for all performances - Premier and Median tickets only.

early bird

Use code NIGHTOUT for $10 off the base ticket price for the Friday, March 21, performance (minimum of two [2] tickets).

Night Out

Spend a Sunday afternoon and evening with Boheme Opera NJ and Marsilio’s Kitchen. Add $55 to the base price of each ticket to enjoy Il Trovatore and a special, sumptuous buffet dinner following the show at 6:30 pm (time approximate). Advance purchase required - use code DINNERPKG. Offer expires 11:59 pm on March 17. Marsilio’s Kitchen - 71 W. Upper Ferry Road, Ewing, NJ.

Troubadour’s Feast Opera and Dinner Package