'Genghis Khan: the opera' rocks Mongolian capital
Wednesday 31 May 2006
Latest in Asia
On Facebook
From the blogs
Roy Hodgson for England: A club of one
To argue against Harry Redknapp for England is akin to arguing in favour of bankers bonuses. While s...
Time for a reality check on the Sri Lankan civil war
Sri Lanka, much like Britain, has side-lined accountability long enough.
Children Of Alcoholics week: One million children may just be the tip of the iceberg
Children Of Alcoholics week starts today. So, what are the aims for Nacoa during this important week...
Review of Being Human: ‘Being Human 1955’
Following on from an episode tinged with tragedy, this week lifted the mood with something lighter.
The thirteenth-century warlord Genghis Khan is best known as one of history's most bloodthirsty rulers, and at first glance appears an unlikely subject for a Jesus Christ Superstar-type rock opera. But in his native Mongolia, a rock opera has opened that gives the medieval empire builder the Genghis Khan Superstar treatment, claiming he had a softer, more appealing side which was overlooked.
"He was a good husband, a good son, and a good friend and I wanted to show him that way," said the lyricist, Dojpalem Ganzorig. "Not as a tyrant or someone with a bad character which is how some people see him."
Non-Mongolian historians beg to differ; they say Genghis and his Mongol hordes murdered about 40 million people as they created an empire from Asia to eastern Europe, raping and pillaging as they went.
But in Mongolia, locals revere the warlord as their most famous son, and the rock opera, called Chinghis Khan, (as he is known in Mongolia) has opened in Ulan Bator, the country's capital, to rave reviews.
It is the latest manifestation of a growing personality cult around the man who united warring tribes more than 700 years ago to forge one of the most effective armies in the world. "During Communism it was prohibited to talk about Chinghis Khan," Ganzorig said recently. "But he was in everyone's heart, everyone wanted to know him, be proud of him, and sing songs about him. Now after the democratic revolution we can do that." Communism, which discouraged talk of Genghis Khan for fear of stoking nationalism, collapsed in 1990, and Mongolians have moved to reclaim ownership of Genghis ever since. The rock opera is being staged now to coincide with the 800th anniversary of Mongolia's creation, which Genghis brought about.
The production is loosely based on The Secret History of the Mongols - an account of Genghis's life allegedly written by his generals. It features 40 dancers, 60 singers, a rock group, a 50-piece orchestra, and mixes traditional Mongolian throat singing and folk music with electric guitars.
Mongolia is a relatively poor country and Ulan Bator is not Broadway nor the West End so the budget is modest, just $60,000 (£32,000). Genghis has already been used to sell vodka, chocolate, and hotel rooms but the rock opera's composer, Taraa, insists the use of his life story is not a marketing ploy. "We are very proud of our heritage. We need an intellectual product with a Khan label."
- 1 Murdoch hit by threat of new legal fight in US
- 2 Eight arrests as Murdoch 'throws staff to the wolves'
- 3 Lightning kills an entire football team
- 4 I was born to be a killer. Every night I see the Devil in my dreams
- 5 What really happened on the bridge when the Costa Concordia crashed
- 6 Letters raise fears for last Briton in Guantanamo
- 7 BBC to issue global apology for documentaries that broke rules
- 1 Eight arrests as Murdoch 'throws staff to the wolves'
- 2 I was born to be a killer. Every night I see the Devil in my dreams
- 3 Spotify: 1 million plays, £108 return
- 4 Lightning kills an entire football team
- 5 Modern lovers: The 'sexual body warriors' and pioneers transforming 21st-century relationships
- 6 BBC to issue global apology for documentaries that broke rules
- 7 Mona Lisa's 'twin sister' is discovered – 500 years late
- 8 Best served cold: BBC canteen has the last laugh on Twitter
- 9 Pucker up: The art of kissing
- 10 Did Banksy's latest work bring misery to a homeless man?
Free trial of new Independent iPad app
Get your daily dose of the best of British journalism, sponsored by American Airlines
Win a three-week coastal jaunt
Spend three weeks exploring every nook and cranny of gorgeous Atlantic Canada.
Amazing restaurant offers
Three glasses of free champagne and a special menu at 46 top London restaurants.
Latest Independent competitions
Win anything from gadgets to five-star holidays on our competitions and offers page.
Commercial thought leaders
Watch the best in the business world give their insights into the world of business.
Day In a Page
Procrastination: Not now – I'm busy
The diva who had – and lost – it all
How Picasso won over (some of) the British


Comments