Empio, per farti guerra (Handel) John Mark Ainsley

Empio, per farti Guerra from Tamerlano, HWV 18 (1724)
George Frideric Handel (1685-1759)
John Mark Ainsley in the role of Bajazet
Il Pomo d'Oro with Riccardo Minasi, conductor
The arrival of Italian star tenor Francesco Borosini (c. 1695 - after 1747) in London caused Handel to radically re-write the role of Bajazet in the opera Tamerlano. 18th century operatic convention did not allow a tenor to play heroic roles, which were typically given to castrati, but Handel did the next best thing by vastly expanding the role of Bajazet.
Bajazet, Sultan of the Turks, has been defeated by Tamerlano, Emperor of the Tartars, and is now held prisoner. Bajazet believes his daughter to be disloyal by agreeing to marry Tamerlano. In Act III, Bajazet declares that after after he commits suicide, his spirit will haunt Tamerlano.
Libretto by Nicola Francesco Haym (1678-1729)
Empio, per farti guerra
Empio, per farti guerra,
Dal regno di sotterra
L’ombra ritornerà.
E l’ira delli Dei
Al suon de’ sdegni miei
Forse si sveglierà.
Barbarian, to wage war on you,
From the kingdom of the underworld
My shadow shall return.
And the fury of the Gods
At the sound of my cries
May perhaps awake.
Available from Naïve:
www.prestoclas...
Art in the video:
[0:18] Louise Élisabeth Vigée Le Brun (1755-1842)
[0:45] Paolo Veronese (1528-1588)
[1:05] Georg Engelhard Schröder (1684-1750)
[1:32] Ludwig Deutsch (1855-1935)
[1:48] A follower of Gentile Bellini (c. 1429-1507)
[2:02] from a museum in Istanbul made by eight Turkish artists showing the Ottoman sultan Mehmed II with his troops
[2:22] Rembrandt van Rijn (1606-1669)
[2:45] Stanisław Chlebowski (1835-1884)
[3:04] Andrea Celesti (1637-1712
[3:15] workshop of Jean Baptiste Vanmour (1671-1737)
[3:40] workshop of Gentile Bellini (c. 1429-1507)

[@christhejourno]

Jeffrey, I must compliment you on the meticulous preparation and presentation of your KZbin videos. Unlike so many other KZbinrs, you always supply all the pertinent details of the performers, composers and artworks, but also provide historical background and translated lyrics. The time and effort you put into this is deeply appreciated, as knowledge of the context greatly enhances the raw pleasure of the music. Your excellent metadata is also invaluable in aiding the search for similar music. You give pleasure to many. Greetings from Australia.

[@williamfranx1494]

Dear Jeffrey , The voice of ainsley , you can hear It is him , beatyfull voice Thank you , with many greetings. William

[@JeffreyStivers]

You're welcome, William. He is my favorite Bajazet. Previously, I made a video of him singing "Ciel e terra armi di sdegno."

[@TheodoreAngelos]

Hauntingly beautiful! ♥♪♫ Thank you very much, dear Jeffrey. Have a beautiful Sunday!

[@JeffreyStivers]

You're quite welcome, dear Theo. I'm so glad you enjoyed this.

[@fimetic]

Thanks Jeffrey, another gem :)

[@JeffreyStivers]

You're welcome. I'm glad you enjoyed it.

[@nesrinbilgin7075]

Teşekkür ederim.❤

[@JeffreyStivers]

You’re welcome. I’m glad you enjoyed it.

[@Rosangela161]

Fantastic! Adorable job. Thanks

[@JeffreyStivers]

You’re welcome. I’m glad you enjoyed this.

[@tenorschofield]

BRAVISSIMO!!!thanks Jeffrey!!! Happy Merry Christmas!!!

[@JeffreyStivers]

You're welcome, John. Merry Christmas to you too.

[@tenorschofield]

Jeffrey Stivers Thanks my dear friend (Feliz Navidad y Pròspero año nuevo!!!)