Image source, providedBy Sebastian UsherBBC Arab Affairs Editor
The first major opera to be produced in Saudi Arabia had its opening performance in Riyadh - part of the crown prince's hugely ambitious plans Mohammed bin Salman aiming to bring the kingdom into a new era, economically and socially.
Zarqa Al Yamama is the story of a blue-eyed tribal matriarch with the gift of foreseeing the future in pre-Islamic Arabia.
His predictions of imminent danger are ignored by his tribe - a story with universal resonance according to Ivan Vukcevic, director of the Arabian Opera. The company was established in Switzerland to contribute to the development of classical music performance and teaching in the Middle East.
"At its center is the central female heroine with an extraordinary gift of foresight, advocating reason and love in the face of adversity, even at the expense of his own life,” he said. describing it as an epic tragedy familiar to many people in the Arabic-speaking world.
When the idea of a lavish new opera in Arabic was presented for the first time two years ago, Mr. Vukcevic and his team were initially surprised and perplexed.
They wondered how the Arabic language, which is written from right to left,...
Image source, providedBy Sebastian UsherBBC Arab Affairs Editor
The first major opera to be produced in Saudi Arabia had its opening performance in Riyadh - part of the crown prince's hugely ambitious plans Mohammed bin Salman aiming to bring the kingdom into a new era, economically and socially.
Zarqa Al Yamama is the story of a blue-eyed tribal matriarch with the gift of foreseeing the future in pre-Islamic Arabia.
His predictions of imminent danger are ignored by his tribe - a story with universal resonance according to Ivan Vukcevic, director of the Arabian Opera. The company was established in Switzerland to contribute to the development of classical music performance and teaching in the Middle East.
"At its center is the central female heroine with an extraordinary gift of foresight, advocating reason and love in the face of adversity, even at the expense of his own life,” he said. describing it as an epic tragedy familiar to many people in the Arabic-speaking world.
When the idea of a lavish new opera in Arabic was presented for the first time two years ago, Mr. Vukcevic and his team were initially surprised and perplexed.
They wondered how the Arabic language, which is written from right to left,...
Image source, provided
