Organization

Singer

Countertenor

Monica Bacelli

Tamerlano

Ann Hallenberg

Tenor

Plácido Domingo

Bajazet

Bruce Ford

Soprano

Ingela Bohlin

Asteria

Isabel Rey

Sara Mingardo

Andronico

Patricia Bardon

Mezzo-soprano

Jennifer Holloway

Irene

Renata Pokupić

Conductor

Paul McCreesh

Stage director

Graham Vick

Set designer

Richard Hudson

Costume designer

Lighting designer

Matthew Richardson

Choreographer

Ron Howell

Bass

Luigi De Donato

Leone

Teatro Real de Madrid

Others

Coro Intermezzo

Orchestra

Orquesta Sinfónica de Madrid

Tamerlano -  (Tamerlane)

Madrid

Spain

Teatro Real

Tamerlano by Handel from Teatro Real, performed at Teatro Real, Madrid, 2008. Directed by Graham Vick, conductor Paul McCreesh. Starring Plácido Domingo (Bajazet), Monica Bacelli (Tamerlano), Ingela Bohlin (Asteria), Sara Mingardo (Andronico) and Jennifer Holloway (Irene). Subtitled in German, English, French and Italian.

The great Domingo plays the role of Bajazet, in a hugely memorable production of Tamerlano at the Teatro Real in Madrid.

The Ottoman empire has fallen and the emperor, Bajazet (Plácido Domingo), has been captured by the tyrant Tamerlano (Monica Bacelli), whom he despises. The defeated Bajazet contemplates suicide, but love for his daughter Asteria (Ingela Bohlin) weakens his resolve. Andronico (Sara Mingardo), Prince of Greece and ally of Tamerlano, is in love with Asteria and she with him. When Tamerlano gives him the newly conquered empire of Byzantium, Andronico asks only to remain at Tamerlano's side – really not wanting to leave Asteria...

It is often said that Tamerlano is not only one of Handel's greatest works, but also his darkest opera, which displays dramatically intense characters. Dominated by a Plácido Domingo at the peak of his powers, the cast features many of baroque music’s leading contemporary singers. The orchestra, playing on non-period instruments, is conducted with panache by Paul McCreesh.

Created in 2001 for the Maggio Musicale Fiorentino, this production directed for stage by Graham Vick had remained unsurpassed ever since.

Bajazet's big monologue is this opera's center of gravity, and this staging is no exception (from 03:05:35). Domingo sings the role of the imprisoned ruler with relentless energy – in start contrast to Ingela Bohlin's restrained performance, which is the perfect fit for the stark geometrical lines of the stage design.

Public

Tamerlane

Approved

Production booklet

Further reading