A five-year programme is heading to Riyadh.

The Met Opera will be creating a winter residency in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The Saudi Music Commission, the Royal Diriyah Opera House, and the Metropolitan Opera have come together for this exciting initiative.

The Met will travel to The Royal Diriyah Opera House in Riyadh each winter for five years. The result will be a full opera production and a series of concerts held over three-week periods. The aim is to showcase Saudi talents and support their career development, from opera singers to theatre artisans. The initiative is part of the Saudi Music Commission’s broader efforts to collaborate with international institutions and strengthen cultural dialogue through music.

Paul Pacifico, CEO of the Saudi Music Commission, explained: “Music is a universal language that transcends borders, uniting people through creativity. At the Saudi Music Commission, we are committed to empowering talents, providing them with the skills, platforms, and global exposure they need to flourish. This collaboration is more than a cultural exchange; it is an opportunity to forge new connections, share our stories through music, and contribute to a vibrant global arts community”.

Peter Gelb, General Manager of the Metropolitan Opera, added: “Cultural exchange between countries is essential on a human level, and this plan to collaborate will also provide new avenues of significant support for the Met.”

The Royal Diriyah Opera House has been designed by the Norwegian architectural firm, Snøhetta. The building showcases traditional Najd architecture and includes a 20,000-seat auditorium. 

Diriyah is located 14 minutes north of Riyadh and is being transformed into a tourist destination. Built to be sustainable, it aims to attract 100,000 residents and 25 million visitors annually. As a cultural hotspot, it will be home to shops, restaurants and hotels, which include Anantara Diriyah, Armani Hotel Diriyah and LXR Hotels & Resorts. 

Check in with FACT for the best things to do in Riyadh. 

GO: Visit www.metopera.org for more information.