DHAHRAN: In collaboration with the National Centre for the Performing Arts in Beijing, “World Famous Songs” was performed by one of the globe’s most renowned choirs at the King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture on Thursday night, for a one-off showcase.
Arab News spoke with the NCPA Chorus’ Managing Director and Resident Conductor Jiao Miao following the nearly two-hour performance.
“In China, we often perform Western works, but this opportunity has opened a window for us to see Arabic culture. We find it very fascinating,” she said.
“This was our first time singing in Arabic, and it was quite challenging for us because it’s a language we’ve never learned before, and the music also uses a different scale.”
The choir began preparing for the concert in July.
The program included a selection of global works, transporting the audience through various cultures, eras and styles without leaving their plush red seats.
It featured classical compositions, Chinese folk songs and Western choral works. Pianists Liu Xiaoxing and Sun Nianyang accompanied the singers at various times.
The women performers from China wore flowing white dresses while the men were in black suits with crisp white shirts. And the maestro, Miao, guided them with fluid movements — fingertips elegantly but firmly carved out rhythm from air into sound.
The ensemble sang in multiple languages, gathering songs from China, South Korea, Brazil, France, Germany, Italy, Russia, Mexico, South Africa, Argentina and the US.
Moments of gentle, lullaby-like softness were punctuated by energetic bursts that reignited the hall. At times, only the men sang; at others, only the women, with solos placed strategically throughout. Some dancing was involved.
The attentive audience watched as the lights on stage shifted in colors that mirrored the music, creating a fully immersive sonic and visual journey.
Opened in 2007, the NCPA in Beijing is China’s principal venue for music, theater and dance.
Formed in 2009, the NCPA Chorus is its resident ensemble. The group performs regularly in China and has appeared at major events, including the G20 Summit in Hangzhou and the Beijing Winter Olympics.
Their performance marked their debut in Saudi Arabia.
The concert was a part of “Ithra Winter” under Khobar Season, launched in October, and aligned with the Saudi-China Cultural Year 2025, supporting cultural dialogue through artistic collaboration and creative exchange.
“Their repertoire spans continents and generations, offering our audiences a rich experience of harmony and expression that speaks directly to the power of music to unite,” Paul Bearne, head of performing arts at Ithra, said in a statement.
“It is a great honor for us to perform at Ithra for the first time,” Miao added.
The evening featured a special appearance by the Saudi ensemble Choralla, who sings only in Arabic, marking the first time both groups performed together on stage.
Choralla — founded in Jeddah in 2022 — takes its name from a portmanteau of “choral” and the musical note “la.” They performed a few songs before the NCPA Chorus returned to the stage.
Their joint appearance comes during the 35th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Saudi Arabia.
Together, the NCPA Chorus and Choralla performed two pieces — one from Saudi Arabia and one from China — each in their native languages.
“We hope we’ll have another chance to sing in Arabic again,” Miao added.
“We also hope that in the future — when we perform back home in China—we can include more Arabic songs, that way, audiences in China can also hear them.”
There were several well-known and global classics performed including “La Bamba” from Mexico, Paul Simon’s “Bridge Over Troubled Water,” and “Ala Al-Bal” by Saudi icon Mohammed Abdu. A tune from the 2016 Hollywood musical “La La Land” served as the finale.
“The audience in Saudi Arabia, specifically at Ithra, has been incredibly warm and enthusiastic — something we truly didn’t expect. This has become a very unforgettable memory,” Miao gushed.
