On the whole this is a non-baroque specialist performance performed in a traditional quasi baroque manner.
There are no sets to speak of except gold panels,which are always in place for every act and scene. No attempt to define time or place is attempted. The opera does take place in various places that are important to the understanding of the emotional and psychological dynamics of the opera, this is lost in this scenically poor production. This does however not detract from the performace, (it just adds nothing), and does keep the eye focused on the singers. The costume FABRICS are sumptuous but the traditional 18th century Turkish, Tartar COSTUMES themselves are heavy-handed, self-absorbed and lacking in a refinement of proportion and fluidity - they keep demanding attention and seem to work against keeping your attention focused on the singers - the work of an inexperienced costume designer.
As for the singing:
Elizabeth Norberg-Schulz(Asteria) is beautiful to look at but her voice is too heavy for the part, stifling the role of Asteria a bit.
Graham Pushee (Andronico), has an unstable voice with an ugly tone quality. However the live audience unjustly gave him the major part of their applause (his fan club was probably in the theatre). His singing does seem to improve towards the end of the opera however, and his final duet with Asteria, "Vivo in te", in Act III is quite good indeed. (The theatre audience in this live recording does not seem to be very musically discerning or knowledgeable, in my opinion, judging from how they divided their applause).
Monica Bacelli (Tamerlano)is a good actress but with an inferior non-expressive, non-coloratura singing technique, which the role demands. However she does create a dramatically believable Tamerlano.
Tom Randle (Bajazet), has poor legato technique and a barking like quality to his voice but his tenor-baritone voice although at times strained, does befit Bajazet, and some of the best moments in this performance are his. Dramatically he captures the role of Bajazet.
Irene Anna Bonitatibus (Irene) has a velvety warm toned voice with vibrato which is expressive and colourful. She tends to move and act somewhat awkwardly however
Antonio Abete (Leone) has a beautiful bass voice well suited to this minor role.
Orchestrally the work does not advance much dramatically. Trevor Pinnock's period orchestra, although smooth in tonal quality has not found the right vitality necessary to express the dramatic truth of this Handel masterpiece. On the whole this is an enjoyable visual experience with some fine singing in a minimal non-set, exaggerated self conscious costumed semi-baroque but non-thrilling performance. Considering the other DVD choices available for this opera this is the only one with a traditional semi-baroque presentation and should be considered first choice for the visual experience with overall average singing. For the best musical interpretation on CD see Petrou,
Tamerlano
or Gardiner (with modifications to the score)
Handel: Tamerlano
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