roles memory : polo ( tenor ) being 1 : marco ( mezzo-soprano ) being 2 : kublai khan ( bass ) nature : water ( soprano ) shadow 1 : rustichello / li po ( tenor ) shadow 2 : sheherazada / mahler / queen ( mezzo-soprano ) shadow 3 : dante / shakespeare ( baritone ) recordings marco polo ( cd sony 62912 ) - world premiere recording with thomas young and alexandra montano in the title roles , the cappella amsterdam , and the netherlands radio chamber orchestra conducted by the composer .