How Saudi Arabia's big and bold grand opera Zarqa Al Yamama echoes today's concerns

Saudi Arabia ushered itself into the opera world with the premiere of the lush production, Zarqa Al Yamama.

Performed yesterday at the redeveloped Sheikh Fahad Cultural Centre in Riyadh, it is touted as the first grand opera – a format defined by its serious plot and continuous music – staged in the kingdom.

The occasion was recognised by Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Culture Prince Badr bin Abdullah, who called the production “a celebration of Saudi intangible cultural heritage” in the programming notes.

Developed by Saudi Arabia’s Theatre and Performing Arts Commission, the work features an international cast led by English opera star Sarah Connolly, Italian soprano Serena Farnocchia and Saudi singer Sawsan Al Bahiti.

Written by Saudi Arabian playwright Saleh Zamanan, the nearly two-and-a-half-hour production is performed entirely in Arabic and is based on a pre-Islamic Arabian story about a woman blessed with foresight who unsuccessfully warns her tribe of imminent danger.

In a previous interview with The National, Connolly said the international cast members took intensive Arabic classes to nail their vocals. The Riyadh season ends on May 4, with plans to tour the production regionally and internationally.

When that transpires, new audiences will have a lot to take in as Zarqa Al Yamama is an ambitious and, ultimately, affecting work echoing some of today’s concerns.

Set in the deserts of ancient Arabia, the story looks at how two powerful Arabian tribes, motivated by pride and grievance, ignore the advice of the title character to ultimately annihilate each other in battle.

English opera star Sarah Connolly plays the title role in the Saudi Arabian grand opera Zarqa Al Yamama. Photo: Opera Hwadi

As well as critiquing some of the sexism contributing to their demise, the work provides a timely reminder on the catastrophic consequences of ignoring sage advice in times of conflict.

Speaking to The National after the premiere, Al Bahiti, whose role as the bridesmaid serves as bearing witness to the ensuing war, says Zarqa Al Yamama is an apt choice as the kingdom’s first international opera production.

“It is an important story because of what Zarqa represents,” she says. “Here is a strong woman with powerful capabilities and has the foresight of being wise to warrant a leadership position. I do genuinely feel that this is what we are striving to do here in Saudi Arabia when it comes to the support of women, not only in the arts but across all sectors of society. I feel like I am a beneficiary of this already.”

Reportedly hailed as Saudi Arabia's first professional opera singer, it seems like Al Bahiti's moves have all been leading up to this moment.

With no opera conservatories available in the kingdom, she took private courses as a soloist before opening one of the kingdom’s first singing schools, The Soulful Voice Institute, in Riyadh in 2018. A year later she made her debut performance at the Sheikh Fahad Cultural Centre, accompanying the orchestra of the Teatro alla Scala Academy.

“I honestly believe in the power of manifestation and having a visual is always the first step in bringing something to life,” she says. “Then again, it's not only one person's job but that of a whole tribe. I feel that here in Saudi Arabia right now, the collective society decided that we want to go for this and the government has laid the foundation for us to achieve something so grand in such a quick time.”

Daniele Finzi Pasca says the time it took to execute the production is a testament to the drive of the Saudi talent and production crew. With the opera marking the first event held at the Sheikh Fahad Cultural Centre since closing for renovations in 2020, the veteran Swiss stage director and choreographer says some of the creative and technical rehearsals took place during the late hours of Ramadan.

“Everybody was working in unison. You had the people working to finish this amazing facility and we had the creative talent and crew also pushing to make this show the best it can be,” he says.

“This is special for me because I never felt this experience before of being part of something bigger, like some form of cultural revolution. And I see this in the eyes of the Saudi actors who were so incredible and full of enthusiasm. You can tell it was something very important for them.”

Zarqa Al Yamama, featuring Australian-Polish soprano Amelia Wawrzon, explores how injustic and pride can tear communities apart. Photo: Opera Hwadi

That hands-on approach extended to the Saudi singers acting as dialogue coaches for their international peers.

“I am one of four Arab speakers in the cast, so it felt personal for me to help all the international singers achieve the most correct Arabic when performing,” Al Bahiti says.

“While there are some general challenges with certain letters and pronunciation, I think our production proves how the Arabic language is rich enough to adapt to opera.”

Zamanan says it took him nearly two years to complete the libretto for Zarqa Al Yamama.

“The plan was always for this to be an international production that can tour in regions like Europe,” he says. “So, I spent a lot of time focused on editing some the longer text and making the story more direct and clear.”

With its first grand opera, Saudi Arabia sets the stage for a new theatrical future

Zarqa Al Yamana can resonate with international audiences, Zamanam notes, because it embodies the tragic and historical story elements long associated with grand operas.

“The heritage of the Arabian Peninsula is a gold mine that hasn't been explored yet in opera and it can be a platform to discuss important subjects,” he says.

“With Zarqa Al Yamama, we look at how hatred and pride can break people apart, how constant injustice can be brutalising to the human spirit and how its consequences can be so severe. We are talking about a really sad story but whose wisdom is needed now much more than ever.”

Zarqa Al Yamama runs until May 4 at the King Fahad Cultural Centre. The show starts at 8.30pm. Tickets are 100 Saudi riyals ($26) from visitsaudi.com

RESULTS

5pm Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 (Turf) 1,600m

Winner Thabet Al Reef, Bernardo Pinheiro (jockey), Abdallah Al Hammadi (trainer)

5.30pm Handicap (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 1,600m

Winner Blue Diamond, Pat Cosgrave, Abdallah Al Hammadi

6pm Arabian Triple Crown Round-1 Listed (PA) Dh230,000 (T) 1,600m

Winner Hameem, Adrie de Vries, Abdallah Al Hammadi

6.30pm Wathba Stallions Cup Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 (T) 1,400m

Winner Shoja’A Muscat, Szczepan Mazur, Ibrahim Al Hadhrami

7pm Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 1,200m

Winner Heros De Lagarde, Szczepan Mazur, Ibrahim Al Hadhrami

7.30pm Handicap (TB) Dh100,000 (T) 2,400m

Winner Good Tidings, Antonio Fresu, Musabah Al Muhairi

Panipat

Director Ashutosh Gowariker

Produced Ashutosh Gowariker, Rohit Shelatkar, Reliance Entertainment

Cast Arjun Kapoor, Sanjay Dutt, Kriti Sanon, Mohnish Behl, Padmini Kolhapure, Zeenat Aman

Rating 3 /5 stars

While you're here

Con Coughlin: Nato must renew its sense of common purpose

Sholto Byrnes: In today's times, what is Nato really good for?

C Uday Bhaskar: Could the 'Quad' become Asia's new Nato?

The specs: Lamborghini Aventador SVJ

Price, base: Dh1,731,672

Engine: 6.5-litre V12

Gearbox: Seven-speed automatic

Power: 770hp @ 8,500rpm

Torque: 720Nm @ 6,750rpm

Fuel economy: 19.6L / 100km

Essentials

The flights
Etihad and Emirates fly direct from the UAE to Delhi from about Dh950 return including taxes.
The hotels
Double rooms at Tijara Fort-Palace cost from 6,670 rupees (Dh377), including breakfast.
Doubles at Fort Bishangarh cost from 29,030 rupees (Dh1,641), including breakfast. Doubles at Narendra Bhawan cost from 15,360 rupees (Dh869). Doubles at Chanoud Garh cost from 19,840 rupees (Dh1,122), full board. Doubles at Fort Begu cost from 10,000 rupees (Dh565), including breakfast.
The tours
Amar Grover travelled with Wild Frontiers. A tailor-made, nine-day itinerary via New Delhi, with one night in Tijara and two nights in each of the remaining properties, including car/driver, costs from £1,445 (Dh6,968) per person.

BLACKBERRY

%3Cp%3EDirector%3A%20Matt%20Johnson%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EStars%3A%20Jay%20Baruchel%2C%20Glenn%20Howerton%2C%20Matt%20Johnson%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3ERating%3A%204%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A

The biog

Name: Capt Shadia Khasif

Position: Head of the Criminal Registration Department at Hatta police

Family: Five sons and three daughters

The first female investigator in Hatta.

Role Model: Father

She believes that there is a solution to every problem

COMPANY%20PROFILE

%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EName%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Floward%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ERiyadh%2C%20Saudi%20Arabia%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounders%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EAbdulaziz%20Al%20Loughani%20and%20Mohamed%20Al%20Arifi%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ESector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EE-commerce%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETotal%20funding%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EAbout%20%24200%20million%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestors%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EAljazira%20Capital%2C%20Rainwater%20Partners%2C%20STV%20and%20Impact46%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ENumber%20of%20employees%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E1%2C200%3C%2Fp%3E%0A

The Perfect Couple

Starring: Nicole Kidman, Liev Schreiber, Jack Reynor

Creator: Jenna Lamia

Rating: 3/5

A State of Passion

Directors: Carol Mansour and Muna Khalidi

Stars: Dr Ghassan Abu-Sittah

Rating: 4/5

The specs

Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo

Power: 261hp at 5,500rpm

Torque: 405Nm at 1,750-3,500rpm

Transmission: 9-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 6.9L/100km

On sale: Now

Price: From Dh117,059

Killing of Qassem Suleimani

National Editorial: Suleimani has been killed, now we must de-escalate

Jack Moore: Why the assassination is such a monumental gamble

Matthew Levitt: Iran retains its ability to launch terror attacks

Damien McElroy: A CEO tasked with spreading Iran's influence

Hussein Ibish: Trump's order on solid constitutional ground

Simon Waldman: Cautious Israel keeping a low profile

COMPANY PROFILE

Name: Kumulus Water

Started: 2021

Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid

Based: Tunisia

Sector: Water technology

Number of staff: 22

Investment raised: $4 million

Results

2.30pm Maiden (PA) Dh40,000 1,200m

Winner Lamia, Tadhg O’Shea, Ernst Oertel.

3pm Handicap (PA) Dh40,000 1,000m

Winner Jap Al Afreet, Elione Chaves, Irfan Ellahi.

3.30pm Handicap (PA) Dh40,000 1,700m

Winner MH Tawag, Bernardo Pinheiro, Elise Jeanne.

4pm Handicap (TB) Dh40,000 2,000m

Winner Skygazer, Sandro Paiva, Ali Rashid Al Raihe.

4.30pm The Ruler of Sharjah Cup Prestige (PA) Dh250,000 1,700m

Winner AF Kal Noor, Tadhg O’Shea, Ernst Oertel.

5pm Sharjah Marathon (PA) Dh70,000 2,700m

Winner RB Grynade, Bernardo Pinheiro, Eric Lemartinel.

Real estate tokenisation project

Dubai launched the pilot phase of its real estate tokenisation project last month.

The initiative focuses on converting real estate assets into digital tokens recorded on blockchain technology and helps in streamlining the process of buying, selling and investing, the Dubai Land Department said.

Dubai’s real estate tokenisation market is projected to reach Dh60 billion ($16.33 billion) by 2033, representing 7 per cent of the emirate’s total property transactions, according to the DLD.

Teaching in coronavirus times

Coronavirus: 10 top e-learning platforms for kids and adults

Coronavirus: parents and pupils reflect on first week of digital learning

Coronavirus: UAE bans private tutoring amid Covid-19 outbreak

Some of Darwish's last words

"They see their tomorrows slipping out of their reach. And though it seems to them that everything outside this reality is heaven, yet they do not want to go to that heaven. They stay, because they are afflicted with hope." - Mahmoud Darwish, to attendees of the Palestine Festival of Literature, 2008

His life in brief: Born in a village near Galilee, he lived in exile for most of his life and started writing poetry after high school. He was arrested several times by Israel for what were deemed to be inciteful poems. Most of his work focused on the love and yearning for his homeland, and he was regarded the Palestinian poet of resistance. Over the course of his life, he published more than 30 poetry collections and books of prose, with his work translated into more than 20 languages. Many of his poems were set to music by Arab composers, most significantly Marcel Khalife. Darwish died on August 9, 2008 after undergoing heart surgery in the United States. He was later buried in Ramallah where a shrine was erected in his honour.