AlUla Becomes Palais Garnier: Maraya Hosts Opera National de Paris

 In a spectacular evening, AlUla hosted the Opera National de Paris, treating the audience to a harmonious blend of heritage and modernity with opera and ballet. The performance featured talented opera singers like Marianne Croux, Farrah El-Dibany, Yu Shao, Vladimir Kapshuk, and pianist Benjamin Laurent, alongside Saudi soprano Sawsan Albahiti and dancer Alice Renavand.

Maraya performance hall transformed into the Palais Garnier, offering a magical experience in the Ashar Valley's desert canyon. The audience relished arias from renowned operas like Jules Massenet’s “Manon” and Camille Saint-Saens’s “Samson et Dalila,” among others, concluding with Jacques Offenbach’s famous barcarolle from “Les Contes d’Hoffmann.”

The event, "A Night with the Opera National de Paris," highlighted Villa Hegra's pivotal role in AlUla's cultural scene, aligning with the intergovernmental agreement between Saudi Arabia and France. Villa Hegra, a Saudi-French institution fostering creative dialogue, reflects the ambitious partnership, as emphasized by Feriel Fodil, CEO of Villa Hegra.

The Villa's commitment extends to public outreach initiatives, setting the stage for its cultural center. Ongoing projects include a partnership with the Opera National de Paris, featuring introductory programs in music, song, and dance, in collaboration with AlUla's Music Hub.

Designed by the French architect firm Lacaton & Vassal, Villa Hegra is set to officially open in 2026. Pre-opening programs for residencies and the cultural center aim to energize the local and international arts and culture scene. These include art retreats, conferences, podcasts, and workshops in collaboration with French institutions.

Curated by a Saudi-French duo, Wejdan Reda and Arnaud Morand, Villa Hegra's residencies will host art retreats, bringing together Saudi and French artists. The multidisciplinary center, with exhibition spaces, studios, a language school, a research center, a media library, and auditoriums, will be a hub for creativity.

Villa Hegra's unique role is emphasized by Fodil, stating it stands as an institution uniting local communities and international audiences, emphasizing the convergence of cultures as a core value.

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