Pakistan’s first opera singer — and the world’s pioneering Sufi Opera star — Saira Peter left audiences spellbound at the Sir Syed Memorial Auditorium in Islamabad, where she delivered a powerful and emotionally rich performance blending Western classical opera with the spiritual depth of Sufi poetry.
Organised by the Silk Road Culture Centre, the event drew musicians, students, art lovers and admirers of Pakistan’s cultural heritage. Saira performed alongside pupils from the recently launched Saira Arts Academy, Lahore, receiving repeated applause and a standing ovation for her commanding stage presence and vocal mastery.
Chief guest Jamal Shah, renowned artist and former federal culture minister, praised Saira’s groundbreaking work in introducing operatic traditions to Pakistan. He commended her for promoting the country’s soft image globally and inspiring a new generation of artists.
The evening began with introductory remarks from Saira’s manager, Zafar Francis, after which she took the stage with her husband and music director Stephen Smith, joined by young performers Moosa Azeem and Azal Abbas.
Addressing the audience, Saira expressed heartfelt gratitude. “I feel proud and honoured to participate in these events for my country,” she said. Performing in Islamabad with her students, she added, was “a moment of deep personal joy.”
Her set included Western classical arias, Eastern classical and semi-classical pieces, and the highlight — Sufi Opera, a genre she pioneered and registered with the UK Intellectual Property Office. The fusion seamlessly transitions from meend and classical Eastern nuances to the soaring crescendos of opera, creating a soundscape unlike anything heard before. Through Sufi Opera, Saira seeks to promote messages of peace, harmony and spiritual unity while presenting Pakistan as a progressive and culturally rich nation.
Saira also revealed she is collaborating with her UK team on Marvi’s Tears, the world’s first full-length Sufi opera. Written by Zafar Francis, the libretto is based on the timeless poetry of Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai, celebrating Sindh’s legendary folk heroine Marvi.
Trained in both Eastern and Western classical traditions, Saira studied under veteran UK vocal coach Paul Knight and attended masterclasses with internationally acclaimed sopranos Rosemary Ashe, Louise Tucker, and Sumi Jo. She has performed extensively across Europe and the United States, introducing global audiences to the works of revered Sufi poets.
Beyond performing, she leads NJ Arts, London, inaugurated in 1998 by Sir Cliff Richard OBE, and runs the Saira Arts Academy in Lahore, where she continues nurturing Pakistan’s future opera talent.
—APp.
