Handel: Tamerlano Overture

Description

FE119                                          020[1] strings                        

(Largo);   Allegro;   Adagio;   Menuet

Tamerlano was first given in the King’s Theatre in the Haymarket on the 31st. October 1724 where it ran for 12 performances. It was revived for 3 further performances in November 1731. The Opera is unusual in that the hero Bajazet is cast for a tenor voice. It was a rare thing indeed for the ‘Primo Uomo’ not to be sung by a Castrato, for although the title role in this work is cast in the Alto range (and was created by Senesino) it is quite clear both musically and dramatically which role is the superior. The press at the time, (referring to his ‘intact’ status,) could not resist a cheap pun at the expense of the tenor Francesco Borosini: ‘It is commonly reported that this Gentleman was never cut out for a Singer’ (Weekly Journal, 17 October 1724.)

Full score                                             £6

Set of parts: wind and strings (43221)  £18

Extra string parts                                 £4

Handel Overtures Series:

Multi-buy option: any 4 scores for £20; any 4 sets of parts £50