Sufi opera star captivates capital audience

Pakistan's first opera singer and the world's pioneering Sufi Opera star, Saira Peter, captivated audiences at the Sir Syed Memorial Auditorium with a spellbinding performance that masterfully combined Western classical technique with the spiritual depth of Sufi poetry.

Organised by the Silk Road Culture Centre, the eagerly awaited event drew music enthusiasts, students, and admirers of Pakistan's cultural diversity. Performing alongside her students from the recently established Saira Arts Academy in Lahore, Saira received prolonged applause from an appreciative audience.

Former federal culture minister and acclaimed artist Jamal Shah, attending as chief guest, praised Saira's contribution to the arts. Welcoming the performers, he commended her role in introducing opera to Pakistani audiences and in projecting the country's softer cultural image on the global stage.

The evening commenced with introductory remarks from Zafar Francis, Saira Peter's official manager, after which she took to the stage accompanied by her husband and music director, Stephen Smith, as well as students Moosa Azeem and Azal Abbas.

Addressing the audience, Saira expressed her pride in representing Pakistan internationally. "I feel proud and honoured to participate in these events for my country," she said, adding that performing in Islamabad with her academy's students was a moment of "deep personal joy".

Her performance featured Western classical arias, Eastern classical and semi-classical pieces, along with her signature Sufi Opera - registered with the UK Intellectual Property Office - a unique fusion of Eastern and Western classical traditions. The style moves seamlessly from meend to operatic expression and back again, creating a soundscape previously unheard in the world of music. Sufi Opera is a genre she pioneered and for which she is recognised globally.

Through this innovative musical form, Saira aims to highlight Pakistan as a progressive, peace-loving nation, promoting messages of love, harmony and humanity. In collaboration with her UK-based professional team, she is preparing to launch Marvi's Tears, the world's first full Sufi opera, featuring a libretto by Zafar Francis and inspired by the poetry of Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai.

Trained in both Eastern and Western classical traditions, Saira Peter has refined her vocal craft under renowned UK vocal coach Paul Knight and through masterclasses with celebrated sopranos such as Rosemary Ashe, Louise Tucker and Sumi Jo. She has introduced international audiences across Europe and the United States to the works of classical Sufi poets, including Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai.

Beyond performance, she heads NJ Arts in London - inaugurated by Sir Cliff Richard OBE in 1998 and supported by patrons including Jamal Shah. She also runs the Saira Arts Academy in Lahore, where she is nurturing Pakistan's next generation of opera singers.