An MoU Has Been Signed Between the Saudi Music Commission and the Metropolitan Opera to Collaborate on World-Class Opera Productions and Cultural Exchange

Diriyah, Saudi Arabia (September 3, 2025)—In an agreement between the Saudi Music Commission, the Royal Diriyah Opera House, and the Metropolitan Opera, the Met will become the resident winter company of Saudi Arabia’s new Royal Diriyah Opera House upon its completion. This initiative is part of the Memorandum of Understanding signed between the Saudi Music Commission and the Metropolitan Opera, under which the Met company will travel to Riyadh each winter for five years, to perform fully staged operas and concerts over three-week periods.

The Met will also provide training to aspiring Saudi opera singers, composers, directors, designers, theater artisans, and technicians. Aspects of the collaboration will also include the commissioning of a new opera.

“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, the CEO of the Saudi Music Commission.

Peter Gelb, General Manager of the Metropolitan Opera, 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.”

The memorandum reflects the Music Commission’s commitment to opening new horizons of artistic cooperation with leading global musical institutions, strengthening cultural dialogue through music, and advancing professional development for local talent. It also underscores the Commission’s dedication to enhancing international cultural exchange as a key objective of Saudi Arabia’s National Culture Strategy, aligned with Vision 2030. This step represents an important move toward deepening ties between the Kingdom and leading cultural institutions worldwide.

Jerry Inzerillo, Group CEO of Diriyah Company, commented: “The opening of the Royal Opera House in Diriyah will be a landmark moment in the Kingdom’s cultural journey, and a testament to our commitment to making Diriyah a global destination for arts and culture. This collaboration between the Saudi Music Commission and the Metropolitan Opera reflects our vision of building bridges of cultural exchange and offers Saudi talent a world stage to shine and create.”

The Royal Diriyah Opera House was designed by the Norwegian architectural firm Snøhetta, acclaimed for its imaginative and sustainable design ethos, who have infused the design with elements inspired by the traditional architectural style that defines Diriyah.

Located in Diriyah, the Royal Diriyah Opera House is an iconic element of the Diriyah giga project, a multi-billion-dollar development project. The Diriyah project will also include a number of other iconic assets including the 20,000-seat Diriyah Arena, a number of internationally acclaimed museums, over 40 globally renowned hotel and resort brands and upwards of 20,000 residential units.