The Arabic Music Ensemble of Cairo Opera House, led by Gihan Samir, administrative-director of oriental music, which comprises 45 players and singers will be performing two concerts in Riyadh on 25 and 26 April. The ensemble is conducted by Mustafa Hemly, and will perform at Riyadh’s King Fahd Cultural Centre which accommodates 3,000 spectators. Officials at the Fahd Cultural Centre say that a number of giant screens will be placed outside the theatre so that more than 4,000 viewers who could not make it into the theatre could yet watch the performances.
The Egyptian ensemble arrived at Riyadh yesterday, where they were received by members of the Egyptian Embassy, staff of the culture ministry, and Saudi media. The musicians and singers have been given a warm welcome, and banners announcing the concerts hang everywhere in the Saudi capital.
For her part, Egypt’s Culture Minister Ines Abdel-Dayem has praised the newly minted cultural connection between Egypt and Saudi Arabia, pointing to the ability of soft power to combat forces of darkness.
Watani International
24 April 2018
