Riyadh, Saudi Arabia – September 5, 2025 – The Royal Commission for Riyadh City (RCRC), in collaboration with the China National Opera House (CNOH), proudly presented Georges Bizet’s world-renowned opera Carmen at the King Fahad Cultural Center in Riyadh, marking a historic first for the Kingdom’s cultural landscape.
The opening night performance, part of the Saudi-China Cultural Year, drew an audience of more than 2,500 guests and dignitaries. Attendees were captivated by the iconic score, from the celebrated “Habanera” to the electrifying finale, as the CNOH orchestra and cast delivered a breathtaking interpretation of Bizet’s timeless masterpiece.
Directed and staged by the acclaimed CNOH production team, the performance transported audiences into a world of passion, jealousy, and destiny, brought to life with striking stage design, vibrant costumes, and exceptional performances by an international ensemble of opera stars.
Since its premiere in Paris in 1875, Carmen has become one of the most beloved works in operatic history, enchanting audiences around the world with its unforgettable music and dramatic storytelling. Its debut in Riyadh represents a landmark moment in Saudi Arabia’s cultural journey, underscoring the Kingdom’s commitment to fostering global artistic exchange and enriching the local cultural scene with world-class productions.
Carmen will continue its run at the King Fahad Cultural Center through September 6, 2025, offering audiences across the Kingdom an unprecedented opportunity to experience one of the world’s greatest operas on home soil. The production highlights Riyadh’s growing stature as a global destination for the arts, in alignment with the ambitions of Saudi Vision 2030 to strengthen the cultural and creative sectors.
