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Music Commission Holds ‘Masterpieces of Saudi Music’ Concert in New York

Saudi Arabia’s Music Commission held a concert, “Masterpieces of Saudi Music”, at the Metropolitan Opera House Theater at Lincoln Center in New York. (SPA)
Saudi Arabia’s Music Commission held a concert, “Masterpieces of Saudi Music”, at the Metropolitan Opera House Theater at Lincoln Center in New York. (SPA)
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Music Commission Holds ‘Masterpieces of Saudi Music’ Concert in New York

Saudi Arabia’s Music Commission held a concert, “Masterpieces of Saudi Music”, at the Metropolitan Opera House Theater at Lincoln Center in New York. (SPA)
Saudi Arabia’s Music Commission held a concert, “Masterpieces of Saudi Music”, at the Metropolitan Opera House Theater at Lincoln Center in New York. (SPA)

Saudi Arabia’s Music Commission held a concert, “Masterpieces of Saudi Music”, at the Metropolitan Opera House Theater at Lincoln Center in New York, reported the Saudi Press Agency on Monday.

The event was held under the patronage of Saudi Minister of Culture Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Farhan and in partnership with the Saudi Theater and Performing Arts Commission.

The event was attended by Prince Turki bin Faisal bin Abdulaziz, Saudi Ambassador to the US Princess Reema bint Bandar bin Sultan, and a large international audience.

The concert featured 80 musicians from the Saudi National Orchestra and Choir.

Kicking off the concert, Saudi Music Commission CEO Paul Pacifico said the Saudi National Orchestra and Choir was the first national cultural asset to be developed by the Commission, part of several initiatives to establish a comprehensive and sustainable music sector in the Kingdom in line with Saudi Vision 2030.

"This national event is of great importance to us, as we look forward to a musical night that will showcase some of Saudi Arabia's rich cultural and musical heritage, a blend of traditional and folk music, as well as dances from across the Kingdom's 13 diverse regions, each with its costumes, customs and musical traditions," he said.

The concert at the Metropolitan Opera House Theater was the third destination of the "Masterpieces of Saudi Music" performance, which started in Paris and moved to Mexico City before arriving in New York.

The concerts aim to familiarize the international community with the richness of Saudi music and performing arts and to boost cultural exchange, which is one of the strategic goals of Vision 2030.

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A Rare Peek at the Hidden Waterworks behind Rome’s Trevi Fountain

A view of Rome's Trevi fountain is seen through a window of its old water flow control room, Wednesday, March 19, 2025. (AP)
A view of Rome's Trevi fountain is seen through a window of its old water flow control room, Wednesday, March 19, 2025. (AP)
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A Rare Peek at the Hidden Waterworks behind Rome’s Trevi Fountain

A view of Rome's Trevi fountain is seen through a window of its old water flow control room, Wednesday, March 19, 2025. (AP)
A view of Rome's Trevi fountain is seen through a window of its old water flow control room, Wednesday, March 19, 2025. (AP)

The Trevi Fountain, arguably the world’s most famous, has graced screens for decades, from Fellini’s “La Dolce Vita” to Netflix’s “Emily in Paris.” Each year, millions of visitors push through Rome's narrow streets to gaze at the towering Titan god flanked by falls cascading into a turquoise pool.

Yet, they never get to venture behind Oceanus’ back to see what produces the sublime play of water in the baroque masterpiece.

Wooden doors on an adjacent street lead to the maneuvering chambers that control the fountain's water supply, coming from the Aqua Virgo — an ancient Roman aqueduct 16 kilometers (10 miles) away. Two electric pumps recycle 126 liters (33 gallons) of water per second while Rome’s water management company, ACEA, carefully monitors the flow around the clock.

This precise amount is crucial for the movement of water through the statues; a little more or less, and it wouldn’t work, said Davide D’Alonzo, ACEA’s manager for the area.

The modern maneuvering chamber features metal tanks and lighted panels. In the original, arched chamber, water audibly rushes through a thick pipe and there is a functional, 18th-century hydrometer to gauge the fountain’s water level.

A large, rudimentary spreadsheet on the wall displays the names of rich Roman families whose homes received water from the chamber long ago; when they fell behind on their payments, their supply was cut off.

The chamber's grated windows grant views out over the fountain and its many visitors — all of whom are oblivious to its hidden waterworks. They toss coins over their shoulders into the water, a hopeful gesture based on a legend that it guarantees their return to the eternal city.