QARAQORUM, musical narrative

“A kingdom where religions and cultures live together in peace? What a beautiful utopia. Not quite… Such a place actually existed. It was Qaraqorum, capital of the Mongol Empire in the 13th century, as discovered by Guillaume de Rubrouck (named after a village near Dunkirk). Sent to the Steppes in 1253 by Louis IX (Saint-Louis) to meet a prince believed to be Christian, this Franciscan monk embarked on a journey lasting over two years. He traveled 16,000 kilometers on horseback or on foot, from Constantinople to the heart of Central Asia, before entering the court of Genghis Khan’s successor and grandson: the great Mangu Khan. There, he discovered that Buddhists, shamans, Muslims and Christians lived in perfect harmony.
On his return from the expedition, he wrote a long letter to the King of France, describing in detail his encounters with the peoples, their customs, languages, beliefs… Above all, he confided his emotion. Setting off with a solid faith in the Gospels and a fixed conception of Good and Evil, Guillaume de Rubrouck saw his certainties crack as he came face to face with the Other… François-Bernard Mâche recounts this journey, which is as much physical as spiritual, an incredible yet forgotten story. This great composer of our time, for whom we received a state commission, drew inspiration from this scientific and literary masterpiece of the Middle Ages to conceive a libretto and a great musical work. Directed by Alain Patiès and set to notes by the fabulous Quatuor Debussy, this world premiere, a blend of musical theater and philosophy, delivers a reflection on tolerance and living together.”