Dhahran, Saudi Arabia — The King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture (Ithra) hosted a cross-cultural choral concert featuring the China National Centre for the Performing Arts (NCPA) Chorus, marking the ensemble’s first performance in Saudi Arabia. Presented as part of Ithra Winter within Khobar Season, the concert formed part of Ithra’s broader commitment to international cultural exchange and artistic dialogue.
The programme brought together musical traditions from China and the West, offering Saudi audiences insight into the choral practices of one of China’s leading national institutions. Through a shared musical format, the evening highlighted how choral music can function as a platform for cross-cultural understanding.
The concert was conducted by JIAO Miao, Managing Director and Resident Conductor of the NCPA Chorus. WANG Cheng, Vice President of the NCPA, attended the performance as part of the visiting delegation, underscoring the collaborative nature of the exchange between the two institutions.
Founded in 2009, the NCPA Chorus is the resident ensemble of the National Centre for the Performing Arts in Beijing. At Ithra, the chorus presented a programme that included classical choral works, Chinese folk songs, and selections from the Western choral tradition, reflecting the ensemble’s diverse musical scope.
The evening also featured a performance by Saudi choral group Coralla, whose participation contributed to the shared programme and emphasized dialogue between visiting and local performers within a single artistic setting.
Noura AlZamil, Programs Manager at Ithra, said:
Hosting the NCPA Chorus is a source of great pride for us. The concert stands as a remarkable reflection of the deep cultural ties and artistic harmony between the two nations. Last night, music served as a bridge—connecting hearts and cultures.
Paul Bearne, Head of Performing Arts at Ithra, added:
The NCPA Chorus brings a repertoire that spans continents, eras, and emotions. Their performance offered our audience a powerful and inspiring musical journey. It was one of the most distinguished events of the Ithra Winter season.
Following the performance, JIAO Miao said:
It is a great honor for us to perform at Ithra. Music knows no boundaries—we conveyed messages of friendship, dialogue, and cultural appreciation through our songs.
The concert reflects Ithra’s ongoing cultural collaboration with Chinese institutions, which includes Saudi Film Nights in Beijing (2024), Ithra’s participation in the Beijing International Book Fair (2024), and the Bridge to the Chinese Language workshop scheduled for 2025. Together, these initiatives form part of a long-term approach to fostering exchange through the arts, literature, and shared cultural practice.
