Bajazet

by Antonio Vivaldi (1678-1741).
Tragedia per musica in three acts, first performed 1735. Libretto by Agostino Piovene (rev. Fabio Biondi for present recording).

The action takes place in the Royal Palace at Bursa, the capital of Bithynia, where the Ottoman Sultan, Bajazet, defeated by the Tartar Emperor Tamerlano, is being held prisoner.

Act 1

Bajazet, imprisoned, has made up his mind to die, and asks Andronico - a Greek prince allied to Tamerlano, Emperor of the Tartars - to take care of his daughter, Asteria, after his death. Andronico is in love with Asteria, who reciprocates his love, but Tamerlano, who is not aware of Andronico's feelings towards Asteria, confides in him the passion that he feels for her and tells him that he has decided to renounce Irene, the Princess of Trebizond, who has been promised to him, and marry Asteria instead. He asks Andronico to act as his envoy by pleading his suit to Bajazet and his daughter, and offers him the Greek throne and Irene's hand in exchange. Unaware that this declaration has plunged Andronico into despair, and sure that his offer will be accepted, Tamerlano reveals his feelings to Asteria. She, however, is unhappy with the prospect of now having to marry Tamerlano, and convinced that her lover Andronico has betrayed her in some way, informs her father of what has happened. Bajazet immediately offers to give his head in exchange for his daughter's freedom. At this point, Irene arrives at the palace and gives vent to her fury when she learns that she has been replace by another. She soon calms down, however, when Andronico assures her of his support and suggests that she keep her identity a secret in order to be able to influence the course of events.

Act 2

Tamerlano, sure of himself, informs Andronico that Asteria has accepted his offer of marriage. Devastated by this news, but confronted by a scornfully dismissive Asturia, Andronico tries to justify his role in all of this. Tamerlano is also asked to explain his change of heart to the confidante of his former fiancee Irene, but without realising that he is actually talking to Irene in disguise. After the men depart, the two wronged women comfort each other although overcome with despair. Andronico then informs Asturia's father Bajazet, that his daughter will be marrying Tamerlano, news of which makes him furious. Confronting his daughter, Bajazet voices his contempt for her in an outpouring full of pathos. Asteria is distraught and produces the dagger which she has concealed under her dress with the intention of using on her wedding night in order to kill Tamerlano. Overheard, Bajazet and his daughter Asteria are arrested and thrown into prison.

Act 3

Bajazet and his daughter Asteria plan to kill themselves by means of a poison that Bajazet has concealed. Andronico meanwhile decides to tell Tamerlano of his love for Asteria, but this disclosure backfires. Tamerlano feels humiliated and decides to put Bajazet to death and consign Asteria to slavery, ordering her to serve him at table. Asteria takes advantage of this role to try and poison Tamerlano, but is observed doing so by Irene's supposed confidante, who then reveals her true identity and denounces Asteria. Tamerlano repays Irene by promising to marry her after all, meanwhile ordering Asteria to be ravaged by slaves while her father is forced to watch. But then news that Bajazet has already poisoned himself causes Asteria to beg Tamerlano to kill her instead. The tyrant, strangely horrified by this turn of events, has a change of heart and pardons Asteria and Andronico.

-This synopsis was drawn from the booklet accompanying the Virgin Classics recording that was broadcast on July 24, 2005.