Core Points - The 37th Macao International Music Festival has commenced during the National Day holiday, themed "Sound·Sea," showcasing the city's charm through various musical performances and extended activities [1][3] - The festival opened with a performance of the classic opera "Carmen," produced by the Zurich Opera House and the Paris Opera Comique, featuring the China Symphony Chorus alongside local ensembles [1][2] - The festival will run until November 8, featuring 12 exciting programs and 14 extended activities from artists and orchestras from China, Russia, Portugal, Switzerland, and other countries, highlighting the cultural exchange between Eastern and Western music [2][3] Industry Insights - The festival aims to deepen cultural exchanges through music, allowing audiences to experience the unique charm of Macao [5] - Collaboration with world-class teams is emphasized to provide a fresh opera experience for the audience [2][3]

Group 1 - The China National Opera House performed the classic opera "Carmen" in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, from September 4 to 6, marking its first full-scale opera presentation in the country [1][2] - The performance attracted over 7,000 audience members over three days, with notable reactions to classic segments such as "Habanera" and "Toreador Song" [1] - The event is part of the China-Saudi cultural year, aiming to enhance cultural exchanges between the two nations [2] Group 2 - The Vice President of the China National Opera House, Wu Zhao, highlighted that this year marks the 150th anniversary of "Carmen," and the opera house has performed it over 300 times since its introduction in 1982 [2] - The Chinese Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Chang Hua, emphasized that the performance represents a vivid practice of cultural exchange and deepening human connections between China and Saudi Arabia [2] - Future plans for Saudi Arabia include the opening of more opera houses and theaters in the next 3 to 4 years, inviting more Chinese performing arts groups to visit [2]