Saudi Arabia is tuning into a new rhythm where music and culture take center stage. As part of the Kingdom’s ambitious Diriyah Gate Development Authority, a significant milestone has just been reached: a SAR 4 billion contract has been awarded for the construction of the Royal Diriyah Opera House, a joint venture between Saudi Arabia’s El Seif Engineering Contracting and Qatar’s Midmac Contracting Company. 

After completing the design, the opera house’s launch was initially announced in 2023, followed by the awarding of the construction contract. The move signals yet another step toward shaping the country into a global destination for the arts.

Spanning 46,000 square meters, the upcoming opera house will feature four performance venues—including a 2,000-seat opera theater designed for grand-scale productions, a 450-seat multipurpose and adaptable theater, and a rooftop amphitheater offering sweeping views of Diriyah’s historical landscape. 

Designed by Oslo-based architectural firm Snøhetta in collaboration with Riyadh’s SYN Architects, the project combines international expertise and sustainable measures with local vision and Najdi-inspired design—creating what Kjetil Trædal Thorsen, founding partner of Snøhetta, describes as “a constellation of forms and shapes that actually does create a community in itself [...] a new typology of opera houses.”

For SYN Architects co-founders Sara Aleissa and Nojoud Alsudairi, the project has been an opportunity to ground contemporary architecture in the cultural and spatial language of Diriyah. “This was an incredible opportunity to showcase our rich history in music and performance, and to be able to create a special place that celebrates that,” says Aleissa. 

“Our role as scene architects was to come in and provide research on architectural typologies in the area … to come up with contextually rooted ideas in contemporary architecture,” Alsudairi stated.

“I am sure in a few short years, the Royal Diriyah Opera House will be as epic as that great accomplishment (the Sydney Opera House)," added Jerry Inzerillo, CEO of Diriyah Gate Development Authority.

Meanwhile, Jasper Hope, advisor of opera and Broadway at the Royal Commission for Riyadh City, emphasized the cultural significance, saying, “We want to bring a world-class opera house, a series of world-class stages right here, to the heart of the capital [...] and indeed the heart of the Middle East.”

This project is more than just another architectural feat—it’s a defining moment in Saudi’s musical evolution. In recent years, the Kingdom has witnessed a rapid rise in live music culture—from mega concerts in Riyadh and Jeddah to boutique festivals and underground showcases spotlighting emerging talent nationwide. 

Music hubs like Soundstorm by MDLBeast and Riyadh Music Week by the Music Commission have brought international attention to the region’s thriving scene, while local venues and cultural initiatives are paving the way for homegrown artists to thrive.

Set to open its doors in 2028, the Royal Diriyah Opera House will provide a space for Saudi talents to perform alongside global icons, for orchestras to fill ancient air with contemporary sound, and for future generations to find their voice in an environment that celebrates music as an integral part of life.

As Saudi Arabia forges ahead with its Vision 2030 transformation, projects like the Royal Diriyah Opera House reflect a growing commitment to cultural enrichment through tourism, architecture, music, and the performing arts. 

Alongside developments like the Jabal Al-Qurain Avenue, which is set to include its own music school, the opera house stands as a symbol of the Kingdom’s expanding creative future—one where music is not just embraced but celebrated as a cornerstone of what’s to come.