Tamerlano

An opera in three acts by George Frideric Handel

September 19, 21, and 22, 2024 | Jarvis Opera Hall

“Another impressive achievement to the period ensemble’s long list of neglected gems”

John von Rhein, Opera Magazine

“Historical authenticity meets modern mastery in Haymarket Opera’s “Tamerlano”

Michael Moore, EarRelevant

“Haymarket Opera’s engaging cast serves up a terrific “Tamerlano”

Lawrence A. Johnson, Chicago Classical Review

“Music became theatre and theatre became music in a production that honoured Handel-era musical and dramatic conventions while imbuing the work with a recognizably modern theatrical sensibility.

John von Rhein, Opera Magazine

“One American opera company, the Haymarket Opera Company of Chicago, subscribes to the approach of transporting contemporary audiences into the halls where the great (and often obscure) operas of Monteverdi through Handel can truly be experienced as they would have been when the operas were new.”

Michael Moore, EarRelevant

“The six principals delivered Handel’s music with impressive polish, dedication and vocal gleam to mark this 300th anniversary year of Tamerlano’s premiere in style.”

Lawrence A. Johnson, Chicago Classical Review

The stage director Chase Hopkins (Haymarket’s artistic director) took his dramatic cue from the crisp, fluid, shapely playing of the 15-piece period band under the music director Craig Trompeter, whose conducting proved to be consistently alive to the shifting musical tectonics of Handel’s dark drama.

John von Rhein, Opera Magazine

“They are truly “world-class” and have been for years. But this production took it to a new level.”

Michael Moore, EarRelevant

“David Portillo brought his vibrant and powerful voice to the role of the imprisoned, resentful Bajazet, one of the first major tenor roles in opera.”

Lawrence A. Johnson, Chicago Classical Review

“Emily Birsan sang with uncommon control, and her very difficult arias sounded breathtakingly easy—amazing!”

Michael Moore, EarRelevant

“The musicians in the pit displayed total emergence into the style, as skillfully conducted by Artistic Director Craig Trompeter, himself a superb baroque ‘cellist and violist da gamba.”

Michael Moore, EarRelevant

“Kathleen Felty made a most impressive Haymarket debut in the trousers role of Andronico, Asteria’s perpetually flummoxed lover.”

Lawrence A. Johnson, Chicago Classical Review

“If there were a show stealer in this cast, it was Emily Fons”

Michael Moore, EarRelevant

“Haymarket’s stalwart bass-baritone David Govertsen brought an island of everyman sanity to Leonte, singing with resonant warmth”

Lawrence A. Johnson, Chicago Classical Review

“Stage direction by General Director Chase Hopkins was right on point”

Michael Moore, EarRelevant

“Craig Trompeter led the superb musicians of the Haymarket Opera Orchestra in a spirited and delightful account of Handel’s score.”

Lawrence A. Johnson, Chicago Classical Review

“Tamerlano proved Chase Hopkins’ finest staging effort to date. Haymarket’s versatile artistic director moved the busy action fluently and handled the many entrances and exits with consummate skill, avoiding distracting intrusions and allowing Handel’s opera to speak for itself.”

Lawrence A. Johnson, Chicago Classical Review

Framing the show was a painterly, Ottoman-cum-Baroque-style palace set by Wendy Waszut-Barrett and richly textured period costumes by Stephanie Cluggish, the design elements informed by the meticulous scholarly research that is a Haymarket hallmark.

John von Rhein, Opera Magazine

Bravery and self-sacrifice prevail in the face of tyranny as two powerful emperors clash in a tapestry of devotion, deception, and desire

Performances:
September 19 at 7pm and September 21 and 22 at 3pm

Opening night party: Following the September 19th performance
Cast talkbacks: Following the September 21-22 performances

Performance runtime: 3.5 hours, including two 15-minute intermissions

Jarvis Opera Hall
Holtschneider Performance Center at DePaul University
800 W. Belden Ave., Chicago, IL 60614

Haymarket celebrates the 300th anniversary of Handel’s arresting 1724 masterpiece Tamerlano, presenting its Chicago premiere in a new, fully staged period production featuring a sensational Handelian cast, a colorful orchestra of period instruments, and sets and costumes to evoke the medieval realms of Central Asia.

In an emotionally charged tale of courage in the face of tyranny, internationally acclaimed tenor David Portillo portrays the brave and tragic Turkish Emperor Bajazet, imprisoned by the Tartar Emperor Tamerlano sung by “exquisite” (Opera News) countertenor Ryan Belongie. Following her triumphant 2023 Haymarket debut in La Giuditta, luminescent soprano Emily Birsan sings the role of Asteria, Bajazet’s daughter, desired as wife by both Tamerlano and his Greek ally Andronico, sung by rising star mezzo-soprano Kathleen Felty. Mezzo Emily Fons makes her much-anticipated return to Haymarket as the Princess Irene, Tamerlano’s jilted bride-to-be. Bass-baritone David Govertsen brings his “thrilling bass” (Chicago Stage Style) to the role of Leone, confidant of Andronico. The cast also features dancer Kali Page as Zaida, confidante to Asteria, and two supernumerary guards, Jon Beal and Daniel Pyne.

Hailed for his “marvelous” conducting (Opera Magazine), Craig Trompeter returns to the podium to lead the acclaimed Haymarket Opera Orchestra of 18th-century period instruments.

Praised for his “skillful” (Chicago Classical Review) directorial debut, Chase Hopkins returns as stage director alongside set designer Wendy Waszut-Barrett, costume designer Stephanie Cluggish, wig and make-up designer Megan Pirtle, and lighting designer Brian Schneider.

Synopsis: It is 1402 and the Ottoman emperor Bajazet has been captured by the Tartar Tamerlano. Bajazet contemplates suicide, but love for his daughter Asteria weakens his resolve. Andronico, Prince of Greece and ally of Tamerlano, is in love with Asteria but Tamerlano has chosen her for himself despite being betrothed to Princess Irene. When Bajazet hears of Tamerlano’s proposal to Asteria he is outraged and refuses on her behalf, but Asteria is silent. Tamerlano has told her that Andronico is to marry lrene. When Irene arrives on the scene she is distraught to learn that her future as Tamerlano's queen has been usurped by Asteria. At She resolves to plead her own case, disguised as an "ambassador" from her court. Asteria accepts Tamerlano’s proposal but tells Irene that she does not intend to take the throne. Bajazet is outraged at his daughter’s impending marriage to Tamerlano. At the wedding, Asteria produces a concealed dagger meant for Tamerlano. He condemns her and Bajazet to death. Rather than die at the hands of the tyrant, they resolve to kill themselves with concealed poison. Tamerlano makes one last attempt to win Asteria, promising to pardon Bajazet. Andronico and Asteria openly declare their love for each other. Enraged, Tamerlano decides to humiliate Asteria by making her serve him wine as a slave. Asteria slips poison into the cup and is seen by Irene who then reveals her true identity and warns Tamerlano. He orders Asteria’s arrest and confinement in the common seraglio, where Bajazet is to witness her shame. Bajazet drinks the poison, curses Tamerlano, and bids farewell to Asteria as he dies. Tamerlano, changed by these events, pardons Asteria and Andronico and blesses their marriage, finally taking Irene as his wife.

The Cast

The Instrumental Ensemble

Craig Trompeter, Conductor

Jeri-Lou Zike, Violin I & Concertmaster

Wendy Benner, Violin I

Charlene Kluegel, Violin I

Martin Davids, Violin II

Pauline Kempf, Violin II

Ann Duggan, Violin II

Elizabeth Hagen, Viola 

Kiyoe Matsuura, Viola

Anna Steinhoff, Cello

Jerry Fuller, Bass

Brandon Acker, Lute

Jason Moy, Harpsichord

Kathryn Montoya, Oboe I / Recorder I

Stephen Bard, Oboe II / Recorder II

Sally Jackson, Bassoon

Production Sponsors & Support

Lead Production Sponsors: Amata Office Suites, Ethel Gofen, Axel Kunzmann and Bruce Nelson, Gregory O'Leary and Patricia Kenney, David J. Rice, Candance Rudmose, Lynne and Ralph Schatz, Marjorie Stinespring, Douglas and Pam Walter, and two anonymous donors. 

Supporting Production Sponsors: Debra L. Cox, Debbie Crimmins and Paul Goerss, Timothy R. and Janet Fox, Patricia P. and Jerome E. Fuller Charitable Fund, Byron Harrison and Brian Klinksiek, Karen Patricia Smith, Clark and Joan Wagner, and Michael and Jessica Young

Foundational support comes from: The Paul M. Angell Foundation, Gaylord and Dorothy Donnelley Foundation, The National Endowment for the Arts, The Illinois Arts Council Agency, Helen and Curtis Pinnell Foundation, and the Walder Foundation.

If you are interested in becoming a production sponsor, please contact general director Chase Hopkins, at chase@haymarketopera.org.

If you require access support to fully participate or have any questions about accessibility, please contact us at info@haymarketopera.org. To ensure the best experience, please try to contact us at your earliest convenience.