Saudi Arabia announces first opera house in Riyadh

Saudi Arabia announces first opera house in Riyadh

Saudi Gazette reportRIYADH — Diriyah Company and the Royal Commission for Riyadh City jointly announced on Thursday plans for the Royal Diriyah Opera House, set to be constructed in Diriyah's historic quarters, a site of immense cultural significance in Saudi Arabia.This was revealed at the Bashayer 2023 Event, which also marked the commencement of a partnership with Snøhetta, a globally recognized architectural firm, for the opera house's design. Riyadh's Syn Architects will also contribute, bringing local architectural insights to the project.The Royal Diriyah Opera House, a pioneering cultural venue in the Kingdom, will be situated near Al Turaif, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Diriyah. This project, undertaken by Diriyah Company and managed by the Royal Commission for Riyadh City (RCRC), reflects Saudi Arabia's dedication to its cultural roots and future vision. With a footprint of 45,000 square meters, the opera house will be a focal point in the Diriyah masterplan's second phase, aligning with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 and spotlighting Diriyah as a center of global cultural and creative excellence.Ibrahim Al-Sultan, Minister of State and CEO of the Royal Commission for Riyadh City, emphasized the opera house as a symbol of Riyadh's aspiration to be a leader in cultural