Tamerlano

We have had the privilege of going to an opera that starred Placido Domingo.  We missed having that experience with Luciano Pavarotti, but we can say we have heard Placido sing live at the L.A. Opera.

Tamerlano is actually the name of the villain in this opera and means Timur the Lame.  Placido plays Bajazet, a Turkish sultan who has been defeated in war by Tamerlano.  As part of his victory, Tamerlano wants to marry Bajazet's daughter Asteria.  Bajazet is outraged and tries to stop the marriage.  Asteria, in the meantime is in love with Andronico, Tamerlano's Greek ally.  Andronico is also in love with Asteria but doesn't know how to tell Tamerlano without provoking his anger.

Interestingly enough, Andronico is sung by a woman.  Tamerlano is sung by a countertenor. I didn't quite know what that meant until I heard him sing.  Songs are sung very high and could have even been sung by a woman, also.

Because of Asteria's rejection, Tamerlano was going to give her to his slaves.  Bajazet commits suicide, but before he dies, curses Tamerlano.  That was a great scene for Placido as he dies, sings, hurls curses, sings some more, then finally dies.  Shamed by Bajazet's death, Tamerlano forgives Asteria and Andronico so that they can marry.

This is against the normal story line of an opera, but the star (Placido) still dies.  I wasn't tearfully grief-stricken, but it was an enjoyable opera.