Egyptian Opera performs for the first time in Saudi

The first concert of the Egyptian Opera held at the King Fahd Cultural Center in Riyadh on Wednesday evening.

Egypt's National Arab Music Ensemble (AME) of the Egyptian Opera House performed a concert which was inauguratedSaudi Minister of Culture and information Dr Awwad Al Awwad.

Held by the Saudi General Culture Authority, at the King Fahad Cultural Center, the concert was led by famous conductor Moustafa Helmy in conjunction with 45 musicians and singers including Ahmed Effat and Mai Farouq.

The performance played to a packed house of Saudis, both male and female.

A central component of Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030, spearheaded by Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman, is to create more cultural openness



across the Kingdom.
Vision 2030, a multipronged plan which will reduce Saudi's economic dependence on oil through diversification and increased investment in other sectors, including the entertainment sector.

"The relationship between Saudi Arabia and Egypt is instrumental to both nations and we are all thrilled to welcome so many of Egypt's finest performers to our country." Dr Awwad Alawwad, said in a statement after attending the performance.
"Egypt's rich and historic culture has a special resonance in Saudi Arabia, and the thousands of Saudis in attendance during these performances proves this," he said.

"This is a transformative moment in the evolution of Saudi Arabia into a more vibrant economy and society."