On today's episode of Opera for Everyone, we review Handel's opera Tamerlano.
The story takes place in 1402 in Prusa. The defeated Ottoman Emperor Bajazet is brought in chains to the court of Tamerlano. He has ordered Andronico to remove the chains, but Bajazet is mistrustful of this action. Bajazet adds that the only reason he does not commit suicide is his love for his daughter, Asteria. Tamerlano arrives and orders Andronico to try to getn Bajazet and Asteria’s consent for Asteria to marry him, with a reward for Andronico of the Greek throne, marriage with Irene, and freedom for Bajazet.
Andronico is troubled, as he brought his love Asteria to try and soften Tamerlano, only to see him fall in love with her. Tamerlano tells Asteria his intentions and the offer to Andronico, which makes her angry at Andronico’s seeming betrayal.
Tamerlano is an opera in three acts written by George Frideric Handel with an Italian libretto by Nicola Francesco Haym. The story is based on the story of Tamerlano by Agostin Piovene, as well as another libretto entitled Bajazet after Nicolas Pradon's Tamerlan.
Tamerlano is considered one of Handel's major works, and it was composed in only 20 days 1724 - the same year he wrote Giulio Cesare and Rodelinda.
Hosted by Pat Wright with special guest Grant Wright.