Ep9: Sawsan Albahiti on opera, responsibility, and building Arabic repertoire

Laughta sits down with Sawsan Albahiti, widely recognised as Saudi Arabia’s first professional opera singer.  In a powerful and reflective conversation, Sawsan shares how discovering her voice during university led her into the world of opera, and the unexpected journey that followed as she introduced the art form to audiences at home.  From performing the Saudi national anthem in an operatic style to sharing the stage with Andrea Bocelli, Sawsan reflects on moments that shaped her confidence and vision. She speaks openly about the responsibility of being “the first,” choosing to see the title as a duty rather than a spotlight, and the discipline required to master one of the most demanding vocal forms. Laughta and Sawsan explore accessibility, demystifying opera for new audiences, and the importance of producing original Arabic operas to keep the art form alive for future generations.An inspiring and forward thinking episode spotlighting an artist helping shape the next chapter of classical music in Saudi Arabia.