Saudi Gazette report

RIYADH — The ‘Marvels of Saudi Orchestra’ is set to enchant London with an evening of cultural and musical performances at the historic Westminster Central Hall on Saturday, Sept. 28.

Under the patronage of Minister of Culture Prince Badr bin Abdullah, the Music Commission is making the final preparations to hold the event in its fourth station following stellar performances at Theatre du Chatelet in Paris, Auditorio Nacional in Mexico City, and Metropolitan Opera Theater at Lincoln Center in New York.

This event is a unique celebration of the diverse musical heritage of Saudi Arabia, as well as an artistic and cultural collaboration with the United Kingdom. This global tour of musical collaborations, travelling from Mexico to France to the US and now to the UK, builds bridges between cultures, leaning into the power of music to connect people.

The Saudi National Orchestra and the Choir will perform alongside the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra in an evening extravaganza of intercultural collaboration. The orchestras will perform both traditional Saudi songs and British classical compositions, showcasing the musical heritage and cultural diversity of Saudi Arabia.

The performance will also include joint and solo performances, as well as a musical medley finale. Tickets for the event will be available to the public soon, with details on the ticket platform and purchasing process to be announced.

Paul Pacifico, CEO of the Music Commission, emphasized the significance of this event in sharing Saudi culture with the world: “The ‘Marvels of Saudi Orchestra’ concert series exemplifies our commitment to cultural exchange on the world stage. Music is unique in its ability to communicate across languages and borders and to help foster mutual understanding and appreciation. I very much look forward to our collaboration with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, and to the chance to introduce music from Saudi Arabia to a UK audience,” he said.

The ‘Marvels of Saudi Orchestra’ is led by the Saudi Music Commission, one of eleven sector-specific cultural commissions under the Ministry of Culture. The commission is keen to promote international cultural exchange as one of the goals of the National Strategy for Culture, under the umbrella of Saudi Vision 2030.