Metropolitan Opera to Perform in Saudi Arabia From 2028

The Metropolitan Opera in New York has signed an agreement with the Saudi government to stage three weeks of performances annually in the Kingdom for five years, beginning February 2028.

The contract also includes training for aspiring Saudi talent, including singers, composers, directors, designers, theatre artisans, and technicians. The collaboration involves commissioning a new opera as part of the partnership.

The Metropolitan Opera, which operates on an annual budget exceeding USD 300 million, faces what it has described as its most severe financial challenges in over a hundred years, including a credit downgrade and increased reliance on its endowment. The agreement is expected to generate USD 100 million or more over its duration.