Händel: Tamerlano
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Music CD Cover Composer: George Frederick Handel Conductor: George Petrou Orchestra: Orchestra of Patras Performer: Irini Karaianni Performer: Mary-Ellen Nesi Performer: Mata Katsuli Performer: Nicholas Spanos Performer: Petros Magoulas Performer: Tassis Christoyiannopoulos Edition: Music CD Format: Box set CD Release Date: 2007-10-23 Music Label: Mdg Soundtracks: Music CD 1
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Free Music Notes for Händel: Tamerlano Album
Free Music Review: The Choice for Tamerlano
Hit: 5 Stars
Tamerlano is undeniably one of Handel's great dramatic achievements, an opera I respect very much but for which I harbor little affection. The plot is unrelievedly gloomy - think of Verdi's La Forza del Destino without the local color scenes, Preziosilla or Fra Melitone. The tension between the Tartar Tamerlano and the vanquished Sultan Bajazet is the point of the work, and Handel draws extraordinary portraits of these two powerful characters. Asterias, Bajazet's faithful daughter, is another great creation who goes from semi-comprehension of the situation to would be agent of revenge. Handel's use of traditional da capo aria, accompagnato, and secco recitative pushes the limits of form to great effect. Somehow, though, the "happy ending" after Bajazet's suicide doesn't strike me as terribly effective. There is also a thoroughly unsympathetic character in Irene - an unfeeling woman who sees the action only in the context of how it affects her.
I'm familiar with this recording and the rival period efforts of Gardiner, Malgloire, and Pinnock. I think the MDG under consideration makes the best case for the work. Petrou's conducting creates a very dramatic presentation and the singers are mostly excellent. Falsettist Nicholas Spanos has an occasional odd moment when what I take to be his natural baritone range almost pops out. It does add dramatic emphasis. Christoyannis baritone has a strong upward extension and he does very well indeed with the role, often taken by a tenor. Also outstanding is Mary Ellen Nesi as the Greek general Andronico. The rest of the cast also sings very well. The period instrument orchestra plays well and the recording is clean and well balanced. The recording also restores Handel's 1724 text. I'm not convinced that is a deal maker or breaker in Handel's operas (or oratorios). Second thoughts are sometimes superior to the first. Repeated listening will perhaps tell.
Text aside, what does make this the first choice is the quality of the performance. Gardiner's Erato recording is well executed but the singing has always left me cold. Pinnock's Avie effort (I have both the CDs and the DVD) is well sung and played, but the conducting rarely catches fire. It is better served on CD - skip the DVD's plain Jane staging. Malgloire is ruled out by the irritating scratchings of the period orchestra. So, until Alan Curtis choses to give us Tamerlano (his handling of recitative is extraordinary) this is the best available.