Tamerlano

Synopsis

In the brooding atmosphere of the 15th Century Ottoman Court the tyrannical Tamerlano holds prisoner the defeated Bajazet and his daughter Asteria. As their story unfolds Handel's vividly descriptive music is inspired by the emotional conflicts inherent in Tamerlano's position of absolute power over Bajazet while at the same time being in love with his daughter. Resolve, faithfulness, rage, adoration, defiance, revenge and despair are all present, expressed through music of exceptional power and beauty.

Our Review:

Simon Thomas - 5 March 2010

There can be few people in London with even the mildest interest in opera who are unaware that Plácido Domingo has had to withdraw from the new production of Tamerlano, due to the need for preventive surgery. The question has switched from can the star tenor sing baroque to could the production hold up without him.

Unfortunately, the answer is that in his absence there’s a gaping hole. It’s no disrespect to his replacement, Kurt Streit, but it’s as though the beating heart is missing. How much Graham Vick’s production was built around Domingo is difficult to say but it’s a dull affair without him.

Streit is to be admired for bringing forward his performance (he was supposed to appear some eight days after the first night) and he cuts a dashing figure, with strong and stylish singing, but the evening cries out for Domingo’s charisma, presence and incomparable beauty.

Some weaknesses elsewhere in the cast don’t help. ...

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Latest User Review

Vivienne - 22 March 2010:

Very very disappointing, bland scenery, bland singing, why were there not castrati plenty of seats empty after 1st interval that said it all!...

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