Tamerlano has defeated Bajazet and the Turks with the help of a young, Greek prince, Andronico.
At that, Tamerlano has Asteria and Bajazet thrown back into prison, and threatens them both with death.
That prospect is too much for Bajazet to bear, and he swallows his portion of the poison.
Andronico is also concerned for Bajazet's life, and he knows he can never reveal his love for Asteria.
In a long and extraordinary solo scene, Bajazet says farewell to his daughter, curses Tamerlano, and dies.
Tamerlano hands the poisoned cup to Asteria, and orders her to serve it to either Bajazet or Andronico.
Bajazet's love for Asteria is the only thing that keeps him from committing suicide, rather than submit to captivity.
When Asteria confirms their love, Tamerlano angrily orders Bajazet to be executed, and says Asteria will be married to a slave.
He wants Andronico to seek Bajazet's consent for Tamerlano to marry Asteria.
He orders Asteria and Bajazet to wait on him at his table, and he demands that Asteria kneel down to serve his drink.
The opera's setting is the conquered Turkish city of Prusa, and as Act One opens, Tamerlano is holding Bajazet captive, along with Bajazet's daughter Asteria.
But Bajazet's final, heroic moments have moved Tamerlano, and he relents.
Hollinghurst's translation of Racine's play Bajazet was first performed in 1990.
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When Bajazet denounces her, Tamerlano orders that Bajazet be thrown to the floor, so Asteria will have to step on him as she ascends the throne.
When Bajazet is brought in, Tamerlano becomes even more enraged.
The opera is in three acts and is loosely based on the historic conflict between Bajazet, a Turkish sultan, and the Tartar conqueror Timur, or Tamerlano, who ruled much of western and central Asia in the 14th century.
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