The Story of Amir Temur at Versailles: Uzbekistan’s Baroque Opera "Tamerlano" Debuts in France
Uzbekistan
A unique musical reimagining of Baroque classics, fusing the rich historical heritage of the East with Western theatrical traditions, resonated for the first time on one of Europe's most prestigious and iconic stages. The Royal Opera of Versailles hosted the long-awaited concert performance of George Frideric Handel's opera Tamerlano, organized at the initiative of the Art and Culture Development Foundation of Uzbekistan (ACDF).
This marked the first time France welcomed this large-scale project as a standalone concert version. Inspired by the history of Amir Temur and addressing universal themes of power, love, and moral choice, the production continues its international tour, which began with a world premiere in Dubai and subsequent stagings in Vienna and St. Petersburg.
The musical concept of the 1724 masterpiece was modernized by the renowned composer Kirill Richter, who delicately intertwined the original Baroque framework with contemporary musical thinking. The concert format allowed the French audience to focus entirely on the expressiveness of the orchestral, choral, and vocal dramaturgy. The leading role of Amir Temur was masterfully performed by the People's Artist of Uzbekistan, Jenisbek Piyazov, alongside Juan Sancho as Bajazet and Verónica Cangemi as Asteria. The performance featured the National Symphony Orchestra of Uzbekistan, conducted by Alibek Kabdurahmanov, and the Honored Choral Ensemble of the Republic of Uzbekistan, under the artistic direction of Gulnara Malikova.
Coinciding with the recent 300th anniversary of the opera, the project represents another significant milestone for the Art and Culture Development Foundation of Uzbekistan in its mission to promote national heritage abroad. Today, ACDF actively expands the presence of Uzbek culture on the global stage, partnering with over 40 international institutions and organizing large-scale exhibitions and projects across France, Italy, the UK, and China. This French premiere on the historic stage of the Royal Opera of Versailles, which opened back in 1770, firmly establishes the production as a hallmark event of the current European cultural season.
The musical concept of the 1724 masterpiece was modernized by the renowned composer Kirill Richter, who delicately intertwined the original Baroque framework with contemporary musical thinking. The concert format allowed the French audience to focus entirely on the expressiveness of the orchestral, choral, and vocal dramaturgy. The leading role of Amir Temur was masterfully performed by the People's Artist of Uzbekistan, Jenisbek Piyazov, alongside Juan Sancho as Bajazet and Verónica Cangemi as Asteria. The performance featured the National Symphony Orchestra of Uzbekistan, conducted by Alibek Kabdurahmanov, and the Honored Choral Ensemble of the Republic of Uzbekistan, under the artistic direction of Gulnara Malikova.
Coinciding with the recent 300th anniversary of the opera, the project represents another significant milestone for the Art and Culture Development Foundation of Uzbekistan in its mission to promote national heritage abroad. Today, ACDF actively expands the presence of Uzbek culture on the global stage, partnering with over 40 international institutions and organizing large-scale exhibitions and projects across France, Italy, the UK, and China. This French premiere on the historic stage of the Royal Opera of Versailles, which opened back in 1770, firmly establishes the production as a hallmark event of the current European cultural season.
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