Tashkent, Uzbekistan – AN Podrobno.uz. The Russian premiere of George Frideric Handel's opera 'Tamerlane' will be held in St. Petersburg, staged by renowned Italian director Stefano Poda together with Paolo Giani Cei. This large-scale project by the Alisher Navoi State Academic Bolshoi Theatre of Uzbekistan will be part of the cultural program of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum 2026.

The opera, composed by Handel in 1724, explores the early life of Amir Timur and his dramatic story involving the daughter of Sultan Bayezid.

The performance will take place at the Mariinsky Theatre's New Stage, supported by the Uzbekistan Art and Culture Development Foundation. The production brings together over 160 artists and offers a new interpretation of one of Handel's key works.

The musical score was adapted by Russian composer Kirill Richter. Alongside a chamber baroque orchestra, traditional Uzbek national instruments are featured in the performance.

The international cast includes Zhenisbek Piyazov (Uzbekistan), Juan Sancho (Spain), Verónica Cangemi (Argentina), and Yulduz Radjabova (Uzbekistan). The Honored Choral Ensemble of Uzbekistan, led by Gulnara Malikova, and the karnay-surnay group 'Uzbegim' will also perform. The National Symphony Orchestra of Uzbekistan will be conducted by Alibek Kabdurakhmanov.

The project has already been presented on international stages this year. In January, the opera was performed at Dubai Opera, and in April, a concert version was held at Musikverein. The St. Petersburg showing will continue the production's international tour.

The premiere took place in October 2024 at the Alisher Navoi Bolshoi Theatre, marking the 300th anniversary of the work.

Source: podrobno.uz