Zarqa al Yamama, largest Saudi opera sung in Arabic | Video

Riyadh (Saudi Arabia), May 4 (EFE) - The Arabic-language opera 'Zarqa al Yamama', the first produced in Saudi Arabia, closes its curtain this Saturday, marking history in the kingdom after decades of silence on the stage. After the success of this great production, with a Spaniard at the baton of the orchestra, the country dreams of much more live classical music.

Hours before the start of the last performance of a season that opened on 25 April at the King Fahad Cultural Centre in Riyadh, the stage is beginning to be set up. Decorative spears and machetes from one side to the other, final touches with the iron to the historical costumes and balloons that are inflated with helium are some of the elements that will be present in these two hours of opera.

With intense blue and red colours, the curtain opens to an audience mixed between Saudis and foreigners to enjoy the show, whose lyrics can be followed in English on the individual screens at each seat, since the singing is only in Arabic.

CAMERA: ISAAC J. MARTIN

FOOTAGE OF THE KING FAHAD CULTURAL CENTRE, THE PREPARATIONS FOR THE OPERA ZARGA AL YAMAMA, THE CAST'S FAREWELL AND GENERAL SHOTS OF THE CITY OF RIYADH.

Metadata

Date: 04/05/2024 15:17 (UTC)
Credit: EFE
Source: EFE
Type: Rough cut
Duration: 216 seconds
Reference: 7001360734
Relevance: Normal