Music is often heralded as a universal language, and Sawsan Albahiti, Saudi’s first opera singer,speaks it fluently.
Raised in Jeddah, Albahiti’s journey to the world of opera took her from the shores of the Red Sea to Italy’s renowned stages. As we explore the streets of her childhood city, she shares the story of her early years, the unexpected path to an art form unfamiliar to many in the Kingdom, and her passion to make opera resonate here at home.
Rooted in home
“I am a person who loves to give, and I am the daughter of Jeddah,”Albahiti says, reflecting on her early years. She works now as both a vocal coach and an opera singer, but her roots remain firmly planted in her hometown, which she describes as “a place of kind people and the beautiful Red Sea”.
Her childhood was filled with excursions along Jeddah’s shores, where she and her family would fish and explore the coral reefs that she still considers “the most beautiful in the world”. Music, too, was a constant presence. Family outings often meant visits to local amusement parks or pizza spots, and during Ramadan, the historic district of Al Balad became a focal point of activity.
These experiences, Albahiti says, helped shape her. “I have a deep connection to Jeddah, like a child to their home. Every part of this city is familiar to me, down to its streets and alleys. What I love most is the Jeddah sky at sunset – it’s a painting, painted by the sun.”
But her notion of home extends beyond Jeddah’s boundaries. “My concept of ‘home’ includes the entire Kingdom,” she says, citing this as the inspiration behind her operatic rendition of the Saudi national anthem for the 94th National Day.
Between Italy and Jeddah
Albahiti’s professional journey took a decisive turn in 2008, when she began formal training. The early years were spent preserving her raw talent, followed by intensive work with international coaches and artists. Today, she is studying in Italy as part of a specialised opera training programme overseen by Saudi’s Music Authority, an initiative of the Ministry of Culture.
Though her studies often keep her in Italy, her thoughts are frequently with Jeddah. “I miss my city – the time spent at home with my family, my friends from school. I’m always eager to discover new restaurants or events in Jeddah. And, of course, I miss my mother’s cooking,” she adds, a smile playing on her lips.
Pavarotti, Bocelli, and the echoes of AlUla
Albahiti’s earliest exposure to opera was not just through the city’s landscapes, but through televised performances of the legendary Italian tenor Luciano Pavarotti. “It probably began unconsciously,” she says, reflecting on the fascination she developed as a child watching Pavarotti sing. Over time, she became captivated by the work of other great opera singers –Montserrat Caballé, Maria Callas – figures who shaped her growing appreciation for the art.
However, it was Andrea Bocelli who truly ignited her passion for opera in 2008. “He was my inspiration to pursue this art,”Albahiti says. One of her most memorable experiences was performing alongside Bocelli at AlUla’s striking Maraya concert hall, where she sang both operatic pieces and Arabic songs, including Fairouz’s Aatini Al Nay Wa Ghani and the traditional Lamma Bada Yatathanna.
A quest to elevate opera
As someone deeply dedicated to her craft, Albahiti has a clear pre-performance routine. “I try to avoid long conversations before going on stage,” she says. “I warm up my voice several hours before, drink plenty of water, sip herbal tea, and practise silent breathing exercises to stay energised.”
Her ambitions for opera in Saudi are equally focused. “One of my main goals is to establish the first opera school in theKingdom, a school that would focus on the different aspects of operatic art.” Albahiti also aspires to develop her own unique musical style, which she hopes will blend opera with other genres, offering something that is both personal and new.
Defining opera, on her terms
From her first steps onto a university stage to her performances in venues around the world, Albahiti has come to see opera as not only a form of artistic expression but as a vehicle for cultural exchange. “Opera is both socially and musically rich,” she says.“It’s about passion and challenge, and it allows me to express my emotions and the strength of my voice.”
Opera, in Albahiti’s eyes, is more than a performance – it’s a statement. Through her work, she has introduced Saudi audiences to an art form that has long been distant, and in doing so, she has carried the name of her country to stages around the globe.
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Sawsan Albahiti drove around Jeddah in a Lexus RX350, courtesy of Abdul Latif Jameel Motors (Lexus).
Sawsan Albahiti @sawsanalbahiti
Producer: Mohammed Almalki
Photographer: Osama Jaberti @osama_jabarti
Stylist: Rana Domian @ranadomian_stylist
Green Dress in AlBalad district
Dress: @rubaiyatfashion / Jewellery: @amarinjewels / Heels: @haifahumaid
Grey Abaya at the piano
Abaya: @amarahofficial / Jewellery: @jewelryara / Heels: @haifahumaid
Brown Abaya at King Fahd Fountain
Abaya: @lessabayas / Jewellery: @amarinjewels / Shoes: @rubaiyatfashion
