A Musical Spectacular Rings In The Newest Outdoor Cultural Program Amidst The Breathtaking Sandstone Formations In Saudi Arabia’s AlUla ‘Valley Of Arts’

A mesmerizing open-air musical event will be the first in a new global cultural destination. Artist Rui Fu debuts her musical composition Nine Songs, honoring the geographical wonders of the area while beckoning the next era in the site’s rich history. Harnessing the artist’s fascination and experience with traditional Chinese music and poetry, this site-responsive performance reverberates musical compositions off the textured surfaces of the surrounding rock formations, while accompanying visuals further accentuate the magnificence of the landscape through the choreographed play between light and shadows. Held for two nights on November 26th and 27th, this striking production will unveil the magic of art in its endless expressions, marking the start of Wadi AlFann’s captivating pre-opening program, which will also include temporary exhibitions, artist residencies and public symposia.

This unparalleled theatrical performance introduces Wadi AlFann, or the Valley of the Arts, as the newest hub for contemporary arts. A masterpiece in itself, the 65-square-acre site lies in the arid desert region of AlUla in northwest Saudi Arabia. A sea of cliffs and canyons flows through the site as magnificent sandstone formations rise up from the barren ground to create an otherworldly landscape with a spectacular topography. The introduction of the area as the newest venue for large-scale, site-specific works of art marks a new, era-defining chapter in a long history of cultural exchange. Permanent land art works will create a dialogue between art and nature, while the positioning of these new visionary pieces amid the remnants of ancient desert communities will inspire visitors to understand art as a source of knowledge and evolution. The first five works, by Manal AlDowayan, Agnes Denes, Michael Heizer, Ahmed Mater and James Turrell, will be completed in 2024, marking the start of an ongoing program of commissions.

Nine Songs is a multisensory performance that employs an assortment of instruments to interact with the extraordinary geological structures of the site as they tower around a circular stage. An international ensemble of performers will utilize the harp, violin, dulcimer, oud, gugin, and taiko drums to present a modern take on ancient Chinese poetry. As an artist and composer, Fu draws inspiration from a section of an ancient Chinese anthology entitled Chu Ci, or the Song of Chu, which uses romantic poetry to send prayers to the clouds, mountains, and rivers. With the assistance of co-director Farooq Chaudhry and musical director Jocelyn Pook, Nine Songs sings to the past, present, and future of the area to reimagine the dynamic between human creation and the natural world. Costumes, lighting, and scenery are designed around the musical compositions and Fu’s own vocalizations, while the fiery hues and somber umbrae cast by the evening’s sunset will further juxtapose the beauty of the production with the wonders of the natural world.

The premiere of Nine Songs is commissioned by the Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU) as a tribute to the deep connection to both art and nature that’s found in this extraordinary valley, citing the artist’s unique ability to overcome cultural boundaries through her themes of shared humanity. Fu views the world with the same wonder she believes our ancestors once held, and she creates a musical space through which she can transport the memories of the past into visions for the future. She draws her interpretations from the signature rhythmic and tonal fluctuations of Chinese ethnic music and works directly with minority tribes who carry on these traditions. Paired with a signature non-lexical language that Fu created to traverse cultural barriers, Nine Songs embodies the depth and profundity of AlUla to bring forth a new chapter in the continued evolution of the region.

For more information on Nine Songs and to book your ticket visit the Experience AlUla website here.