Opera in three parts
After a battle, Sultan Bajazet is captured by the cruel Tatar prince Timur Lenk, known as Tamerlane, “the lame. ” He offers Bajazet the prospect of freedom if his daughter Asteria would take him as her husband. In order to win her over, he instrumentalizes Prince Andronicus, who is also in love with Asteria. A game of intrigue and entanglement begins that ends with the suicide of Bajazet . . .
Tamerlano is one of Handel’s most successful premieres in London. The work on love, power and politics proves to be a real thriller that has lost none of its impact to this day. Musically, the opera is one of the most advanced and colourful Handel’s works: in the balanced interplay of recitative, ariotic moments and far-flung arias and ensembles, the composer achieves a deeply touching emotionality.
Tamerlano is one of Handel’s most successful premieres in London. The work on love, power and politics proves to be a real thriller that has lost none of its impact to this day. Musically, the opera is one of the most advanced and colourful Handel’s works: in the balanced interplay of recitative, ariotic moments and far-flung arias and ensembles, the composer achieves a deeply touching emotionality.