Robert Moriarty

Tamerlano is one of Handel's finest operas, a work filled with deep feelings of love and loyalty, both filial and romantic. This 1970 recording presents more of the opera than any other available. Instruments are modern, but there's drama aplenty, some wonderful singing, crisp playing, and interesting embellishing of da capo sections of arias. Mezzo Gwendolyn Killibrew's dusky, masculine sound is suitable and appealing in the tyrannical title role, while Alexander Young as Bajazet, the opera's emotional center, is terrific–angry, proud, and vocally proficient. Carole Bogard's lovely soprano is just right for Bajazet's determined, adoring daughter, Asteria, and the other soloists are excellent. John Moriarty leads the Chamber Orchestra of Copenhagen with authority.