Rising Star Soprano Golda Zahra Joins Maestra Parissa In Concert March 8, 2026 in Nowruz: Light Always Prevails at UCLA's Royce Hall

Los Angeles native and rising star lyric soprano GOLDA ZAHRA will join the annual Nowruz Concert March 8th at Royce Hall presented by the Farhang Foundation. The 26-year-old Zahra will appear with Maestra Parissa, one of the foremost Persian classical singers of our time, bringing together two extraordinary female vocalists from different generations on one historic stage united in artistic excellence and purpose. Both artists will perform with the Iranshahr Orchestra, led by Maestro Shahab Paranj, conducting a 40-piece ensemble.  

Due to recent world events, Nowruz, the traditional yearly celebration of the Iranian New Year, will take on a more serene yet hopeful tone. In commenting Golda Zahra stated: “During this challenging but hopeful time I feel honored to join this concert which highlights the richness of cultural expression and International Women’s Day.”

Hailed as the “rising star of the opera world and a promising young opera singer" by the Los Ángeles Times, the luminous star of Golda Zahra’s radiant voice, emotional depth, magnetic stage presence, and vocal range with a high note extension has been captivating audiences worldwide. While 2025 saw her take Los Angeles by storm with four sold out concerts, culminating with her role as Liù in Puccini's Turandot at Walt Disney Concert Hall, (she stole the show — Hollywood Times) it is the year 2026 that promises to leave audiences spellbound with the release of her debut album GOLDA ZAHRA FREE. Produced by internationally renowned Maestro Steven Mercurio, the album recorded with the Czech National Symphony Orchestra will begin releasing singles and album tracks from early Spring throughout the year.

 

The concert is presented in collaboration with the UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music and the Gramian–Emrani Center of Iranian Music at UCLA, home to Farhang Foundation’s historic Iranian Music Degree Program.