The Metropolitan Opera has signed a five-year agreement with the Saudi Music Commission and the Royal Diriyah Opera House, set to open in 2028, to become the resident winter company of Saudi Arabia’s new landmark venue.
Starting with the inaugural season, the Met will perform fully staged operas and concerts over three-week periods each winter. The collaboration also includes professional training for Saudi singers, composers, directors, designers, theatre artisans and technicians, alongside the commissioning of a new opera which will create a platform for emerging local talent and foster cultural exchange.
“Music is a universal language that transcends borders, uniting people through creativity. At the Saudi Music Commission, we are committed to empowering talents, providing them with the skills, platforms and global exposure they need to flourish. This collaboration is more than a cultural exchange; it is an opportunity to forge new connections, share our stories through music, and contribute to a vibrant global arts community,” said Paul Pacifico, CEO of the Saudi Music Commission.
Peter Gelb, General Manager of the Met, added: “Cultural exchange between countries is essential on a human level, and this plan to collaborate will also provide new avenues of significant support for the Met.”
Designed by Norwegian architectural firm Snøhetta, the Royal Diriyah Opera House draws inspiration from the surrounding desert landscape, local cultural heritage and Najdi building traditions.
Covering 46,000 square meters, the venue will house four performance spaces, including a 2,000-seat main theatre, two smaller multipurpose theatres, and a 450-seat shaded rooftop amphitheatre.
The opera house forms a central element of the Diriyah giga project, a multi-billion-dollar development aimed at establishing Diriyah as a global cultural destination.
The initiative supports Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, reinforcing the Kingdom’s commitment to expanding artistic infrastructure, international collaboration, and professional development for emerging talent. Jerry Inzerillo, Group CEO of Diriyah Company, described the opening as “a landmark moment in the Kingdom’s cultural journey, offering Saudi talent a world stage to shine and create.”
