Riyadh prepares for the much-anticipated premiere performance of the first Saudi grand opera Zarqa Al-Yamama on April 25

The highly awaited debut performance of the first Saudi grand opera, "Zarqa Al-Yamama," is scheduled for April 25 at the King Fahd Cultural Centre theatre and will run until May 4. Preparations are now underway in the capital city of Riyadh. This is the largest Arabic grand opera ever staged and the first grand opera produced in the Kingdom. 

Produced by the Saudi Theatre and Performing Arts Commission, the opera features a multitude of well-known Saudi and international actors and musicians in a stunning and remarkable performance that tells a timeless story from the depths of the Arabian Peninsula's heritage.

Based on a pre-Islamic Arabian legend, "Zarqa Al Yamama" narrates the gripping tale of a Geddes tribal lady who could see into the future. Legendary blue-eyed Zarqa al-Yamama of the Al-Yamama area was renowned for her keen intuition, acute vision, and capacity to foresee future events. Her attempts to alert her master of an approaching enemy onslaught are shown in the opera, showcasing her bravery and insight in the face of doubt. 

Saleh Zamanan, a poet and writer from Saudi Arabia, wrote the libretto for the opera, which has an original soundtrack by Lee Bradshaw. With its blend of complex plot, dramatic vocal performances, and symphonic and choir music, it promises to be a rich, multifaceted experience.

Last month, in Goldsmiths Hall in London, the Saudi Theatre and Performing Arts Commission held an official announcement event to commemorate the beginning of the Zarqa Al-Yamama Opera. The ceremony marked the beginning of production on what is billed as the first and largest Arab opera spectacle, under the auspices of Badr bin Abdullah, Minister of Culture and Chairman of the commission. This avant-garde show promises to significantly impact the worldwide cultural landscape as it attempts to fuse Arabic and Western musical traditions in a way never seen before.