TAMERLANO [IMPORT]

Details

• Release Year: 2001
• Genre: Drama, Music
• Plot: The Tatar ruler Tamerlano (historically Timur-lenk), a descendant of Genghis Khan, defeated and captured the Turkish Sultan Bajazet at the battle of Angora in 1402.; ; A series of plays and operas have been written to mark this historical event. In Handel’s opera, although Tamerlano is already engaged to the Princess von Trapezunt, he falls in love with Bajazet’s daughter. She, however, is fond of the Greek Prince Andronico. The story, which takes place in Prusa, the capital of Bithynia, begins directly after Bajazet and Asteria have been captured.; ; Dealing almost exclusively with emotions–paternal, filial, and romantic love, sacrifice, jealousy, hatred, spite–there is very little “action” per se. But in Handel’s Tamerlano we are smack in the middle of these people’s hearts and it’s more suspenseful and moving than operas with battles, great political themes, wind machines, and exotic dancers. In short, absolute ruler Tamerlano has conquered and taken the Turkish Emperor Bajazet captive. Despite his engagement to Irene, Tamerlano loves Bajazet’s daughter Asteria; Andronicus, his Greek ally, loves her too and Asteria returns Andronicus’ love. Although it appears as if Asteria also has accepted Tamerlano’s love (to the horror of Bajazet, Andronicus, and Irene), in fact she plans to kill him. She and her father are condemned to death when her plot is discovered, but Bajazet commits suicide and in a last minute change of heart, Tamerlano allows Andronicus and Asteria to wed, while he takes Irene as bride.; ; An Opera in Three Acts by George Frideric Handel; Libretto by Agostino Piovene; THE ENGLISH CONCERT; Conducted by Trevor Pinnock; Directed by Jonathan Miller; A production of the Halle Handel
• Cast: Monica Bacelli, Tom Randle, Elizabeth Norberg-Schulz, Graham Pushee, Anna Bonitatibus, Antonio Abete, Martha Wildman, Paul Gunn, Tobin Saunders, Trevor Pinnock, Jonathan Miller, Helga Dubnyicsek, Agostino Piovene, Nicola Francesco Haym
• Director: Trevor Pinnock
• Runtime: 5:23
• Company: Arthaus Musik, Kino
• Media Format: Movie