London plays host to rousing ‘Marvels of Saudi Orchestra’ performance
With unique Saudi flair, the performers showcased a rich repertoire that intertwined Saudi and British musical traditions
Updated 29 September 2024
ANAN TELLO
LONDON: The Saudi National Orchestra and Choir, in partnership with the UK’s Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, delivered a rousing performance at London’s Central Hall Westminster on Saturday night as part of the “Marvels of Saudi Orchestra” concert tour.
With unique Saudi flair, the performers showcased a rich repertoire that intertwined Saudi and British musical traditions.
In his opening remark, the CEO of the Saudi Music Commission, Paul Pacifico, said: “The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is in the midst of an unprecedented program of social, cultural and economic transformation under Vision 2030.
“Music has a very special role to play in that transformation,” he continued. “Music’s ability to develop skills and to provide platforms for cultural and artistic expressions, as well as routes to sustainable economic development and social mobility, is at the heart of our work in the Saudi Music Commission.”
He added: “Through this concert, we strive to present some of the most iconic Saudi songs to a global audience, while inspiring the audience back home, who can take pride in seeing this music performed on one of the great stages of the world for the first time.”
English mezzo-soprano Sarah Connolly also performed a song in Arabic — from the first-ever Saudi opera, “Zarqa Al-Yamama” — which had its world premiere in Riyadh this year.
Pacifico expressed hope that the event would promote cultural exchange and strengthen human connections, highlighting that “for that reason, coming to this venue is especially resonant.
“It was in this very room on the 10th of January, 1946, that the first meeting took place at the United Nations General Assembly,” He explained. “Then and now, our aim is to bring people from different cultures together to foster greater mutual understanding.”
The first segment of the two-hour concert boasted arrangements by the Saudi National Orchestra led by maestro Reaab Ahmed and accompanied by dance performances. The repertoire included iconic Saudi singer Mohammed Abdu’s “Ana Min Hal-Ard,” “Hna Talabna Allah,” “Ismahili Ya Al-Gharam,” and Adele’s hit “Rolling in the Deep” to name a few.
British maestro Benjamin Pope and Connolly of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra performed the second part of the program. It featured “Crown Imperial,” “Pomp and Circumstance March No. 4,” “Zadok the Priest,” and a scene from the opera “Zarqa Al-Yamama.”
The evening concluded with a medley of Saudi tunes and Rashed Almajed’s hit “Ashiginak,” conducted by Hany Farahat.
All’s unfair in love and war — Olivia Colman and Benedict Cumberbatch clash in ‘The Roses’
Updated 19 September 2025
Shyama Krishna Kumar
DUBAI: Jay Roach’s take on Warren Adler’s acrid 1981 novel “The War of the Roses” may be less overtly savage than the 1989 adaptation starring Michael Douglas and Kathleen Turner, but it still lands plenty of punches.
Roach trades open marital warfare for a more contemporary clash of egos and expectations, infusing the story with sharp humor and modern-day sensibilities.
Two great British actors — Olivia Colman and Benedict Cumberbatch — anchor the film as Ivy and Theo Rose, whose seemingly ideal relationship implodes inside their sleek, custom-built dream home. Colman gives a layered, hysterically funny performance, while Cumberbatch captures Theo’s hurt pride and resentment as Ivy’s almost-dead career as a chef gets revitalized just as his, as an architect, nosedives overnight due to a freak catastrophe. The couple must navigate a new power dynamic within a previously loving relationship.
Roach and screenwriter Tony McNamara keep the dialogue sharp and darkly comic. The movie kicks off with an imploding couples-therapy scene that turns gratitude lists into barbed attacks.
Colman balances dry humor with quiet fury, and Cumberbatch moves seamlessly from bubbling hurt to explosive rage, making the breakdown of the Roses’ marriage both believable and extremely riveting.
The rest of the cast is stacked with talent too, though they’re mostly sidelined. Andy Samberg and Kate McKinnon play Barry and Amy, a couple whose physical chemistry is all but dead. And Jamie Demetriou’s Rory and Zoe Chao’s Sally bottle up resentment after resentment, while Allison Janney gives a singularly vicious performance as a divorce lawyer. But it’s the leads who hold the focus throughout.
Coming in at under two hours, “The Roses” moves briskly. Roach’s update is less a remake than a reimagining — one that recognizes how contemporary ambition and shifting gender roles can destabilize even the most loving and chemistry-packed marriage. But it fails to deliver the no-holds-barred meanness of the original and, in the process, loses some of its soul.
For audiences seeking sharp dialogue and sensational acting, though, “The Roses” delivers. Colman and Cumberbatch turn a familiar tale of marital collapse into a darkly amusing battle of wills that is worth seeing.
Who: UK indie-pop band founded by vocalist Hannah Reid and guitarist Dan Rothman in the late Noughties and also including keyboardist and percussionist Dominic Major. They picked up a prestigious Ivor Novello Award for Best Song Musically & Lyrically in 2014 for “Strong” and that same year won Independent Breakthrough of the Year and Most Played New Independent Act at the AIM Independent Music Awards. Speaking to Esquire earlier this year, Reid explained her ambitions for what people would take from the band’s music and live shows. “I hope that people come away feeling connected,” she said. “I feel quite disconnected sometimes and it’s very easy to disappear behind a phone screen and feel really isolated from each other. I think music is an incredible way to create amazing memories with your friends and your family and feel connected to something bigger than yourself.”
Top tracks: “Strong,” “Wasting My Young Years,” “Hey Now,” “Baby It’s You”
Who: Palestinian-Canadian singer-songwriter Nemah Hassan, who first found fame online as a beauty and fashion influencer who occasionally uploaded videos of herself performing covers before turning her hand to writing her own material. So far, it’s gone pretty well; her 2024 debut album “Verbathim” won the Juno Award (the Canadian equivalent of the Grammys) for Alternative Album of the Year. “I feel like everything is so cliché, especially in the world of toxic positivity and therapy talk and stuff like that,” she told The Creative Independent in May. “What should people take away from my music? I think that the most important people were once underdogs. I think when we look at the names that we know way beyond their deaths, they were underdogs and hated at one point.”
Top tracks: “Stick of Gum,” “Immigrant’s Tale,” “Suicide,” “Eleven Achers”
Saudi DJs and music producers, brothers Hassan and Abbas Ghazzawi are pioneers in the Kingdom’s electronic music scene. “We don't confine ourselves to any specific genre; instead, we embrace the freedom to explore different styles. That's what makes us stand out. It's not just about being good, it's about being special,” Hassan told Scene Noise in 2024. After performing at Azimuth in 2022, he told Arab News: “It’s a dream come true for us to actually have the power to influence and show the world what Saudi is and how we actually come together and enjoy our time in locations like these.”
Top tracks: “Chromosome (edit),” “Daze,” “Disko Luv”
Who: Jordanian-Palestinian indie-pop star who lists Billie Eilish, Dua Lipa, and Rosalia among her influences. Since starting her YouTube channel during the COVID-19 lockdowns, Zeyne has established herself as one of the leading lights in the Middle East’s independent scene. “One of my goals is to be unapologetic in showcasing who I am as an Arab female artist living in the 21st century, living in Jordan, going through the struggles that many do,” she told Scene Noise in 2023. “Why not talk to other women and resonate with them? It’s partly society’s influence on us: we’re always used to being silent and not having a safe space to speak and express what we want.”
Top tracks: “Balak,” “Asli Ana,” “Hilwa,” “Mesh Haseebek”
Bedouin Burger
Who: Duo consisting of Syrian singer Lynn Adib and Lebanese musician Zeid Hamdan, one of the most influential figures in Arabic alternative music, perhaps best known as one half of the trip-hop duo Soapkills. Their music blends classical Arabic poetry, Egyptian pop, analog synths, acoustic recordings and drum machines. “I needed to work with someone who knows what he wants to say in music and definitely know how to do it on a technical level,” Adib told Arab News in 2020. “We meet in the middle between our two worlds. I’m very much into experimental and improvised music and Zeid helps me put my ideas in a more readable way.”
Top tracks: “Taht El Wared,” “Nomad,” “Ya Man Hawa”
Who: Syrian vocalist Ameen Khayer and German musician Thorben Diekmann met in Hamburg, Germany, where Khayer had arrived as a refugee, and formed Shkoon in 2015. Their music blends traditional Arabic sounds with electronica, piano, violin and percussion. “We do it to prove there are no borders,” Khayer told Arab News in 2020. “No matter where you come from, music is going to connect us.”
Who: Berlin-based Italian EDM duo — brothers Alessandro and Federico Fognini — who released their first single, “Cagliostro,” in 2012. Since then, their joint DJ sets have made them wildly popular around the world. Speaking to xlr8r.com, the pair outlined their approach to their live shows. “We don’t plan much, but we do have six or seven tracks we know we want to play or moments that we like to create during a set. We don’t have separate roles; both of us have access to effects, controls. We like to keep two or three tracks together and mix tracks with four hands so it’s a continuous working together for all the duration of our performances.”
Who: German DJ and producer of “hybrid techno” music who released his first track in 2015. According to Resident Advisor, “Kevin’s DJ sets translate the singular energy of his own music into extended journeys from cutting-edge sounds to 90s classics and back again. He has become an in-demand DJ worldwide, consistently delivering stand-out performances for huge festivals and intimate clubs alike.”
Top tracks: “Metro,” “Dance With Me,” “Saga,” “Tokyo Nights”
Recipes for success: Chef Balveer Balkissoon offers advice and a tasty sea scallops recipe
Updated 19 September 2025
Hams Saleh
DUBAI: Over his 20-year career, Mauritian chef Balveer Balkissoon has honed his skills across European, African, and Asian cuisines in his homeland, the Seychelles, Oman, and the UAE.
Today, as culinary director of the UAE at Groupe Barrière, Balkissoon oversees a diverse portfolio of restaurants including Paradiso Abu Dhabi, Art Lounge, Tazu by Art Lounge, Museum Café and the French brasserie Fouquet’s at the Louvre Abu Dhabi.
His work has contributed to the inclusion of several of these venues in the Michelin Guide and Gault&Millau.
French brasserie Fouquet’s at the Louvre Abu Dhabi. (Supplied)
When you started out, what was the most common mistake you made?
I tended to over-marinate or add too many ingredients to high-quality products like a beautiful cut of beef or fresh fish. I’ve learned that the best ingredients require minimal intervention. A chef’s role is to highlight and respect the natural flavor of the product, not mask it.
What’s your top tip for amateur chefs?
Always cook with your heart and trust your senses, especially your palate. Don’t stress if things don’t go perfectly. Cooking is a personal journey, not a performance.
What’s one ingredient that can instantly improve any dish?
For me, onions are essential. They’re a foundational ingredient that builds depth and enhances the flavor profile of almost any dish.
French brasserie Fouquet’s at the Louvre Abu Dhabi. (Supplied)
When you go out to eat, do you find yourself critiquing the food?
Yes, I naturally analyze what I eat. It’s second nature.
What’s the most common issue that you’ve noticed in other restaurants?
Poor seasoning. Without proper seasoning, a dish can’t express the full potential of its ingredients.
What’s your favorite cuisine or dish to eat?
Being from Mauritius, I always gravitate towards fresh fish, prepared in any style. I enjoy the simplicity and the purity of flavor that comes with well-prepared seafood. And, naturally, it reminds me of home.
What’s your go-to dish if you need to cook something quickly at home?
Spaghetti aglio e olio. It’s simple, quick and packed with flavor — just garlic, chili and olive oil. It’s a classic comfort dish that never disappoints.
Mauritian chef Balveer Balkissoon has a 20-year career. (Supplied)
What’s a common customer request that annoys you?
When someone asks for a Wagyu MB9 tenderloin or ribeye to be cooked well-done. It defeats the purpose of using such a premium cut. You lose all the richness, marbling and tenderness that make it special.
What’s your favorite dish to cook?
I’ve created a signature recipe for braised beef cheeks — slow-cooked for 48 hours until they’re melt-in-your-mouth tender. It’s a dish that requires patience, technique, and a deep respect for the ingredient. And you only need a spoon to eat it.
What’s the most difficult dish for you to get right?
A good risotto. The challenge lies in expectation; every culture has a different idea of the perfect texture. So, getting it “right” depends on who you’re serving. It’s a dish that’s both technically and culturally nuanced.
As a head chef, what are you like?
I’d say I’m a democratic leader. That said, I believe discipline is non-negotiable, especially in our industry. Food safety and consistency require structure, accountability, and focus from every member of the team.
Chef Balveer’s pan-seared sea scallops with creamy fregola, parmesan, pears and garlic aioli
Chef Balveer’s pan-seared sea scallops with creamy fregola, parmesan, pears and garlic aioli. (Supplied)
Jameel Arts & Health Lab stages NYC festival alongside UN General Assembly
Updated 19 September 2025
Arab News
JEDDAH: The Jameel Arts & Health Lab — a collaboration between Saudi, US and UK organizations — is staging its annual UNGA Healing Arts Week festival in New York from Sept. 20 to 26, alongside the 2025 UN General Assembly and in collaboration with the World Health Organization.
The festival, which will feature events in venues across New York, is centered, according to a press release, around “a bold new vision: to recognize arts engagement as a health behavior — on par with physical activity, nutrition, sleep, time in nature, and social connection.”
Stephen Stapleton, a founding co-director of the lab, elaborated. “As the burden of health challenges grows, traditional healthcare systems — designed primarily to treat illness — are proving insufficient on their own,” he told Arab News. “Arts and health interventions can offer a complementary, preventive approach; one that builds community connection, strengthens resilience and engages directly with the broader determinants of health. By integrating these approaches into our health systems, the arts can become a vital health asset, supporting both individual and population well-being.
“Over the past two decades, the arts and health evidence base has grown dramatically across clinical, population, and neuroscientific research,” he continued. “These include randomized controlled trials which have demonstrated efficacy in mental health, stroke rehabilitation, and palliative care.”
Highlights of this year’s festival include a keynote speech from Daisy Fancourt, author of “Art Cure: The Science of How the Arts Save Lives”; a roundtable that will “explore social prescribing as a pathway to realizing the economic, clinical, and public health potential of the arts as a driver of care innovation and health equity”; a concert from Mexican-American jazz singer Magos Herrera “exploring music’s role in supporting emotional regulation, connection, and mental health”; a participatory session “exploring how theatre can build social connection, trust and coalition”; an interactive tour of the Metropolitan Museum of Art that includes an art-making workshop; and the unveiling of a photo essay for the Jameel Arts & Health Lab–Lancet Global Series on the Health Benefits of the Arts which will have its regional launch during next month’s Global Health Exhibition in Riyadh.
Another of the lab’s co-directors, Prof. Nisha Sajnani, said in the release: “UNGA Healing Arts Week is about turning evidence into action — bringing together artists, educators, researchers, and policymakers to … embed creativity into the fabric of clinical and public health.”
Where We Are Going Today: The Matcha Cup in Alkhobar
Updated 19 September 2025
Waad Hussain
ALKHOBAR: The Matcha Cup in Alkhobar is a dream come true for matcha lovers.
This spot specializes in matcha drinks, and you can taste the quality in every sip. The matcha is rich, flavorful, and perfectly frothed, making it smooth and velvety with just the right amount of creaminess. It is clear they use premium matcha powder, and that really elevates the experience.
One of the things visitors love about The Matcha Cup is the variety of milk options they offer. The range of options makes it easy to customize your drink exactly the way you like it. The cup design and overall branding are also stunning; minimal, chic, and Instagram-worthy, adding to the whole experience of ordering from them.
The setup is neither a full cafe nor a drive-thru. You have to park, get out of the car, and place your order. Considering how simple the concept is, it would be amazing if they at least offered car-side service, like other specialty trucks do, so you do not have to step out just to grab a quick matcha.
In terms of options, the menu is focused and does not have too many extras, but honestly, that works in their favor. By staying dedicated to matcha and keeping the concept simple, they maintain a very clear identity and deliver on quality. This could easily become one of the go-to spots in Alkhobar for anyone craving good matcha on the go.
For more information check their Instagram: @thematchacup.
