ZARQA

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"Zarqa Al Yamama" - the first Grand Opera ever written for performance in Saudi Arabia,
was commissioned in 2022 by Arabian Opera in conjunction with the Ministry of Culture in KSA.
 

The score composed by Lee Bradshaw,and libretto based on a story adapted by Saudi poet and playwright Saleh Zamanan; "Zarqa Al Yamama" is an historic, landmark work.

 

The Opera tells the epic pre-Islamic story of Zarqa - an ancient mystic who tries to forewarn her tribe of impending doom; a tale full of tragedy, hubris and ultimately hope. 

The work premiered in Riyadh in April 2024 and featured The King's Medal recipient - Dame Sarah Connolly in the title role, and was directed by Daniele Finzi Pasca.