JEDDAH: Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli is making a triumphant return this week to the Saudi venue that he has begun to call his own — the spectacular, mirrored Maraya concert hall in AlUla.
Bocelli will perform at Maraya on Jan. 26, his sixth appearance there.
January has been a celebration of classical music at AlUla.
Opéra National de Paris performed there for the first time on Jan. 17 as part of the pre-opening program for Villa Hegra, an institution dedicated to arts and culture that is set to open in 2026.
Villa Hegra collaborated with the opera company to present internationally acclaimed singers, dancers, and musicians, along with exquisite costumes, in a captivating blend of French and Saudi cultural elements.
As part of the Winter at Tantora Festival and the AlUla Moments concert series, the Swiss Orchestra’s most accomplished musicians delivered a well-received performance of classical favorites at Maraya on Jan. 19. “With a dynamic year-round calendar of events, AlUla has solidified its reputation as a thriving center for music and entertainment,” said Rami AlMoallim of the Royal Commission for AlUla.
“The vital genre of classical music too has found a warm welcome in AlUla, and it is only natural that Maraya has played host to some of the most revelatory performances in the region. Maraya and AlUla have been embraced wholeheartedly by classical music enthusiasts, promising a delightful experience for all who attend its many events.”
AlUla celebrates both natural and human heritage, its towering sandstone mountains and ancient cultural sites dating back thousands of years. It is best known for Hegra, Saudi Arabia’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site.
