XANADU
THE STORY OF KUBLAI KHAN
MUSIC BY JEFFREY STOCK
CHINESE LYRICS BY IVAN WANG
DIRECTED BY TONY STIMAC
Kublai Khan, grandson of the great conqueror Genghis Kahn, is charged with governing the vast and expanding kingdom of 13th century Mongolia. Genghis had achieved greatness through battle, but Kublai must bring together many cultures, languages and religions into a stable and prosperous nation. Xanadu has been produced in Beijing and in theaters around Inner Mongolia. The cast features traditional Mongolian throat singers (who study for decades to split their voices into multiple pitches), “long tune” callers, horsehead fiddle players and Mongolian drummers.
LISTEN
In this song, recorded here in English, the Empress Consort Chabi (Kublai’s beloved wife) is the one advisor he knows he can trust. The year is 1270, and everything is going wrong. The kingdom is at risk of tearing apart from within. When Kublai is at his lowest point, Chabi reminds him that he is a man of destiny, with the respect of the entire kingdom, and he must find it within himself to rise to the occasion. Music & English lyrics by Jeffrey Stock.
Kublai Kahn comes upon the spot where he first has his vision to create the legendary kingdom of Xanadu.
Chabi emerges from her yurt into the falling snow and proclaims that if she ever marries, it will be only for love.
Chabi falls in love with Kublai when she sees his wisdom and kindness. They vow to spend their lives as one.
The Empress Consort Chabi (his beloved wife) is the one advisor Kublai knows he can trust. The year is 1270, and everything is going wrong. The kingdom is at risk of tearing apart from within. When Kublai is at his lowest point, Chabi reminds him that he is a man of destiny, with the respect of the entire kingdom, and he must find it within himself to rise to the occasion.
Kublai and his men usher in a new age when the expand their land-locked kingdom beyond the great Silk Road. Through their use of boats for trading and conquering, they become "horsemen of the sea."