“Tamerlano” opera on the Tashkent stage
The opera “Tamerlano” by German composer George Frideric Handel was performed at the Alisher Navoi State Academic Grand Theatre of Uzbekistan.
The production, staged by Italian director Stefano Poda, was created at the initiative of the Uzbekistan Art and Culture Development Foundation.
Considered a masterpiece of Baroque music, “Tamerlano” was composed by Handel in 1724 in just 20 days. The opera offers a distinctive artistic interpretation of Amir Temur and events associated with his life. At the heart of the plot are the complex relations between Amir Temur, Ottoman Sultan Bayezid and his daughter Asteria.
The opera explores themes of power, fate, love, human emotions and moral choices.
Stefano Poda, who served as director, set designer and choreographer, conceived the production as a unified artistic installation, incorporating contemporary staging techniques.
The opera was performed primarily in Italian, with Uzbek also used in certain dialogue scenes and choral passages.
Jenisbek Piyazov, People’s Artist of Uzbekistan, Karakalpakstan, Bashkortostan and Tatarstan, played Amir Temur. Brazilian opera singer Daniel Umbelino portrayed Bayezid, while Argentine soprano Veronica Cangemi appeared as Asteria. Actress Yulduz Rajabova played Bibikhonim.
The production featured the National Symphony Orchestra of Uzbekistan, the Honored Choir of Uzbekistan, an orchestra of traditional musical instruments, the Uzbegim ensemble and a ballet company. In total, more than 160 performers took part in the production.
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Kamola Yusupova, photos by Asliddin Alijonov, UzA
