London, United Kingdom — The production operations of Zarqa al-Yamamah Opera, the first grand opera to be produced by Saudi Arabia and the world’s largest grand opera in Arabic, were launched at Goldsmiths Hall in London by the Saudi Theater and Performing Arts Commission on Friday.
The Zarqa al-Yamamah Opera is set to begin in Riyadh in mid-April and extend to multiple local and international performances. Zarqa Al-Yamamah is a legendary character in Arab history during the pre-Islamic era.
She was known for having blue eyes and a unique ability to see from long distances. The opera combines Arabic and Western musical elements in a way that has never been explored before in the world of opera.
British media report said the showcase was introduced by the Saudi Arabian culture minister Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Farhan, who is the Theater and Performing Arts Commission chairman of the board of directors.
The event was attended by a group of interested people and Saudi and international creatives participating in the opera production.
The reports said that it also featured singing from Sawsan al-Bahiti, who has been called the “first Saudi opera singer”, as well as London-based soprano Amelia Wawrzon.