Cast

Creative Team

ACT I

The Ottoman Emperor Bajazet has been defeated by Tamerlano, the Turko-Mongol conqueror, who has occupied Bajazet’s royal palace in Bursa. Bajazet would rather die than continue to live at the mercy of his enemy. He intercedes with one of Tamerlano’s allies, the Greek prince Andronico, to take care of his daughter Asteria. Andronico loves Asteria, but Tamerlano also has designs on her. Tamerlano decides that he will marry Asteria and renounces his vows to Irene, Princess of Trebizond. Tamerlano compounds the situation by asking Andronico to plead his cause with Bajazet and Asteria. Andronico’s reward will be Irene’s hand and the throne of Greece. Asteria is upset when Tamerlano proposes to her. She fears that Andronico is complicit and tells Bajazet of her concerns. Bajazet refuses to agree to this marriage proposal, and pledges his life for his daughter’s freedom. Irene is shocked to hear from Andronico about Tamerlano’s changed intentions. She agrees to pass herself off as her own servant, so that she can divert Tamerlano’s attention back to her cause.

ACT II

Andronico and Asteria discuss her pending marriage with Tamerlano. Andronico warns her that taking the throne will cost her both his love and her father’s love. She questions Andronico’s love because of his role in the marriage arrangement. When he hears that she is an unwilling bride, he swears to try to stop the nuptials. But Asteria warns him that it is already too late. Andronico is heartbroken and knows that to prevent the marriage he will have to tell Bajazet. Asteria urges Tamerlano to wed her quickly before her father finds out. Meanwhile Irene arrives and tries to convince Tamerlano to marry her instead. Asteria reassures Irene that she will find a way to make Tamerlano change his mind and return to Irene. Bajazet is appalled when he learns of the marriage and storms the ceremony to try to stop it. Asteria cannot bear to see her father so upset. She reveals the dagger with which she planned to kill Tamerlano. Tamerlano orders the executions of both Asteria and Bajazet.

ACT III

Bajazet and Asteria plan to evade Tamerlano by suicide, using poison that Bajazet has been hiding. Andronico comes clean with Tamerlano about his true feelings for Asteria. The furious Tamerlano wants to kill all three but steps back from the threat. He will put Bajazet to death, and humiliates Asteria by forcing her to serve at his dinner table, with the helpless Bajazet and Andronico watching on. Asteria turns the situation to her advantage, and laces a drink for Tamerlano with poison. Her gesture is spotted by Irene, who intervenes and chooses the moment to reveal her true identity. Tamerlano would have Asteria and Bajazet take the poison, but Andronico spills the drink she is holding. Tamerlano decides to reward Irene by marrying her, and orders Asteria to punishment in his harem. Idaspe arrives with the news that Bajazet has taken poison and Asteria begs Tamerlano to kill her, too. Irene and Andronico persuade him to forgive Asteria. Moved by the tragedy of Bajazet’s death he pardons both Asteria and Andronico.