(8 Sep 2025)
SAUDI ARABIA OPERA
SOURCE: ASSOCIATED PRESS
RESTRICTION SUMMARY:
LENGTH: 3:18
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia – 4 September 2025
1. Various of performance of opera ‘Carmen’ on stage, orchestra playing music
2. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Chang Hua, Chinese Ambassador to Saudi Arabia:
"First of all, this year marks the 35th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Saudi Arabia. At the same time, it is the year of Chinese-Saudi culture. We are very pleased to welcome this famous Chinese opera troupe to Riyadh to perform opera Carmen, the world famous opera. This is also a testament to the cultural exchange between China and Western countries, as well as with Saudi Arabia."
3. Performers on stage
4. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Chang Hua, Chinese Ambassador to Saudi Arabia:
"This is a big cultural event between China and Saudi Arabia. I’ve said that this is a famous troupe in China and they’ve brought around 200 artists. This is considered the largest artistic group to come to Saudi Arabia since the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Saudi Arabia, so they will surely showcase this famous classical Western opera with great success. I believe in that."
5. Various of attendees posing for photos while holding red roses
6. Woman ringing bell
7. Various of attendees posing for photos with red roses
8. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Soha Khan, head of events at the Royal Commission for Riyadh City:
"We at the Royal Commission for Riyadh City are pleased to host the world-renowned opera Carmen for the first time in the kingdom (Saudi Arabia) on the stage of the King Fahd Cultural Center, running from Sept. 4 to Sept. 6. Of course, this famous opera by French composer Georges Bizet was written in 1875, and this is certainly a beautiful addition for us. We are also celebrating the Saudi-Chinese cultural year 2025."
9. Performers handing roses to attendees
10. Poster on screen promoting the opera show
11. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Soha Khan, head of events at the Royal Commission for Riyadh City:
"Why did we chose opera Carmen? Among the reasons is that the music is familiar and well-known. We have heard it since we were young and seen it in movies and on various occasions. It is close, familiar, and beloved by everyone, so we thought it might be more suitable for us to start with as an introduction to opera in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and what comes after it (the opera)."
12. Various of the King Fahad Cultural Center, illuminated with the word "Carmen"
STORYLINE:
World-famous opera masterpiece Carmen was presented for the first time in Riyadh last week before a live audience.
The classical opera was performed by a Chinese troupe as part of the celebration of the Saudi-Chinese cultural year.
The story of Carmen that many know from Georges Bizet’s 1875 opera set in Spain is about a mysterious woman who is ultimately killed by a jealous lover.
Chinese Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Chang Hua said the performance is a "testament to the cultural exchange between China and Western countries, as well as with Saudi Arabia."
He added that more than 200 artists from a famous Chinese troupe took part in the performance.
The outer wall of the King Fahd Cultural Center was illuminated with the word, "Carmen" as audience members walked in to watch the show.
Performers handed out single red roses to audience members, some of whom posed for photos with the flowers.
Khan said the 19th century classic was performed in Riyadh as part of an effort to introduce new types of entertainment.
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