Egyptian opera enthralls Riyadh music aficionados

Minister of Culture and information Awwad Al-Awwad inaugurated on Wednesday evening the first concert of the Egyptian Opera held at the King Fahd Cultural Center in Riyadh.

Egyptian Minister of Culture Dr. Inas Abdel-Dayem and several other dignitaries attended the gala event organized by the General Entertainment Authority.

Awwad highlighted the development in the Kingdom’s cultural and artistic sector as well as the initiatives to showcase the bright aspects of the Kingdom’s rich cultural heritage.

Awwad and the guests also toured a photograph exhibition that documented the history of the Egyptian opera for nearly one and a half centuries since the opening of Cairo’s Opera House in 1869 and the most important performances that were presented on its stage until its burning in 1971.

They also watched musical performances by the Egyptian expatriate community based in Riyadh.

The Egyptian Opera Band presented a great musical performance, the first of its kind in Riyadh. As many as 45 musicians took part in the concert, which will conclude on Thursday.

The opera played notes for famous Egyptian singers including Abdul Wahab, Umm Kulthum, Abdul Halim Hafiz, Shadia, Najat Al-Saghira and others.

It will be the first of its kind musical show to be presented in the Kingdom this year. In 2017, the Japanese Orchestra performed in Riyadh on the occasion of the Japanese cultural week.