Mariinsky II (New Theatre)

Music by George Frideric Handel

Director: Stefano Poda
Modern interpretation: Kirill Rikhter
Conductor: Alibek Kabdurahmanov
Dramaturgy: Paolo Giani Cei

Tamerlano the Conqueror, the Emir: Zhenisbek Piyazov
Bayezid, the Ottoman Sultan: Juan Sancho
Asteria, Bayezid’s daughter: Verónica Cangemi
Bibi-Khanym (Saray Mulk Khanum), Tamerlano’s chief wife: Yulduz Rajabova

Honoured State Choir of the Republic of Uzbekistan
Director: Gulnara Malikova

National Symphony Orchestra of Uzbekistan
Conductor: Alibek Kabdurakhmanov

World premiere: 2 and 3 October 2024, Alisher Navoi State Academic Bolshoi Theatre, Tashkent

Running time: 1 hour 30 minutes
The performance has no interval

Age category 12+

Stefano Poda’s production of Handel’s Tamerlano offers a striking new reading of the Baroque masterpiece. The opera explores the early years of Amir Timur and the dramatic story of his relationship with the daughter of the Ottoman Sultan Bayezid. Handel’s score has been reimagined by contemporary Russian composer Kirill Richter: alongside the Baroque orchestra, the production introduces the colours and timbres of traditional Uzbek instruments.
The principal roles are performed by People’s Artist of Uzbekistan Zhenisbek Piyazov, Spanish tenor Juan Sancho and Argentine soprano Verónica Cangemi. The production also features the Honoured State Choir of the Republic of Uzbekistan, the Uzbegim Karnay-Surnay Ensemble and the Uzbek Folk Instrument Orchestra.
Bringing together more than 160 performers, this large-scale production creates a dialogue between European operatic tradition and Uzbek musical culture.

With the support of the Uzbekistan Art and Culture Development Foundation