The year is 500 B.C. in the glorious Persian Empire. A grand royal feast has been going on for around 6 months, but now for a week it opens to the public in the capital of Shushan. The reigning king is King Xerxes or more faithfully in Persian, King Khashayar. The servants sing about how lavish the feast is but the king isn't impressed yet.
SERVANT 1:
Welcome all people to the feast!
From all the greatest to the least!
The banquet's open now to all Shushan
For 7 days, you’ll feel just oh sooooooo grand...[musical interlude]
SERVANT 2:
Long live King Khashayar, (a.k.a. King Xerxes)
The mighty Persian Empire!See the splendor of his reign
and majesty we admire!
Persia and Media
How radiant is your glory
A hundred twenty-seven states
so great with wonders and stories
[repeat with ensemble]
[musical interlude]
A GUEST:
Come drink the never-ending wine,
In cups of gold with own designs!
OTHER GUEST:
Show it to me... Gasp wow! One of a kind!
SERVANTS:
The greatest feast on earth we shall provide
Come let us serve you till you're satisfied
Behold the royal garden view!
With curtains cotton white and blue!
They’re fastened to fine linen purple cords
To silver rings on marble-made supports!
Recline on gold and silver beds
On pavement blue, white, black..... and red!
Praise to the royal throne in great Shushan
FEMALE SERVANT:
Long live King Khashayar,
A king we truly admire.
3 fine years he’s ruled and reigned
his big and noble empire!
Persia and Media
Come join in our celebration
From India to Ethiopia,
How vast and valiant our nation!
[repeat with ensemble]
SERVANT:
Today's the last day of our feast
My king I trust that you are pleased!
SERVANTS:
This feast cannot get better; no siree!
Thanks to your royal throne and majesty
KING KHASHAYAR:
Did you mean you’ve shown the best
of our wealth and elegance?
SERVANTS:
No, your majesty!
KING KHASHAYAR:
So there’s one part they’ve yet to see:
The beauty of my Queen Vashti
SERVANTS:
Beautiful is she!
The music aims to be as historical and as cultural as possible. This number features traditional drums such as bendir, darbuka, dohol, dohola, riq. All these percussion instruments that I just mentioned are played by Maciej Gizejewski a.k.a. Mac G. It also featured the traditional Bansuri flute by Rajat Prasana.