Bajazet (opera)

Vivaldi operas

Bajazet (pronounced "IPA|bajazˌe"; also called "Il Tamerlano" [Not to be confused with the opera of the same name by Handel] ) is an Italian opera composed by Antonio Vivaldi in 1735. Its libretto was written by Agostino Piovene. It was premiered in Verona, during the Carnival season of that year. This opera (catalog number RV 703) is presented in 3 acts, with a three-movement sinfonia as an introduction. The story is about the fate of Bajazet (known as Beyazid I) after being captured by Tamerlane (Timur Lenk). The famous aria, "Sposa son disprezzata" is from this opera.

Roles

Selected recordings

The only complete recording of this opera was released by Virgin Classics on May 10, 2005. Fabio Biondi conducts Europa Galante in Brussels for this recording. The singers are:
* bass-baritone Ildebrando D'Arcangelo as Bajazet
* countertenor David Daniels as Tamerlano
* mezzo-soprano Vivica Genaux as Irene
* mezzo-soprano Marijana Mijanovic as Asteria
* soprano Patrizia Ciofi as Idaspe
* mezzo-soprano Elīna Garanča as Andronico

This recording received the award for Best Opera by Midem Classical Awards 2006 and shortlisted for the 48th Annual Grammy Awards 2006.Before this release, excerpts from this opera had been performed by other singers such as Cecilia Bartoli.

References

* Frédéric Delaméa (2005). The Noble Death-Pangs of Vivaldian Opera. In "Vivaldi: Bajazet" [CD liner notes] . Virgin Classics

Notes