In a visually stunning performance, the audience praised the artistic tableau presented by the "Blue-eyed Yamama" opera at the King Fahd Cultural Center in Riyadh, offering an inspiring operatic display in line with the highest global standards. In this operatic work, the performances of Saudi and international actors harmoniously complemented artistic details in direction, costumes, lighting, and music. The traditional costume designs reflect the spirit of the opera and the visual aesthetics of the pre-Islamic era, while the music blends elements from Arabic music, Saudi heritage, and styles found in global operatic pieces by composers like Mozart, Verdi, and Puccini. The lighting also highlights the work, drawing the viewer's eye to the event's location and the plot driven by a wise, sharp-eyed woman from the Jadis tribe.
The character of Blue-eyed Yamama weaves musical artistic dimensions into an expressive tableau that touches the viewers' senses, echoing a dramatic story rich with conflicts that uses this narrative as a bridge to the world of art and music. Every element in this operatic performance contributes to enriching the artistic experience and conveying the story's message in a creative and impactful manner.
"Blue-eyed Yamama" presents the first Saudi opera, offering a visual and auditory interpretation of a mythical story, paced by a historical figure from the Arabian Peninsula, narrating the chapters of human conflict across various story arcs. This drama features international stars and rising Saudi talents, showcasing the ability of art to transcend boundaries and elevate the human spirit.
Saudi Culture Minister Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Farhan announced the launch of the first and largest Arabic opera titled "Blue-eyed Yamama" last February. The Performing Arts and Theater Commission aims through this production to enhance the Saudi cultural movement, showcase national talents, and contemporize and creatively revive famous inherited works and stories from the Arabian Peninsula, promoting international cultural exchange.
The "Blue-eyed Yamama" opera is held at the King Fahd Cultural Center in Riyadh, a venue that opened in 2000 coinciding with Riyadh's designation as "Capital of Arab Culture," and has been refurbished to meet operatic performance standards and in accordance with Salmani style.
