Fanny Ardant to perform Cassandre in Limassol

Limassol, Cyprus. French actress Fanny Ardant will join 18 musicians from the Commandaria Orchestra for the Cypriot premiere of Michael Jarrell’s spoken opera Cassandre at Rialto Theatre on October 2.

The French-language performance, presented by the Cyprus International Theatre Festival, will feature surtitles in Greek, Russian and English.

Cypriot premiere

Cassandre, a spoken opera by Swiss composer Michael Jarrell, will be staged in Cyprus for the first time. Jarrell is a laureate of the Beethoven Prize.

Based on Christa Wolf’s novel of the same title, the production is directed by Hervé Loichemol. Ardant plays a woman who foresees catastrophe but is condemned never to be believed as she speaks the truth while her world falls apart.

Ardant’s spoken text is accompanied, surrounded and at times masked by the live ensemble.

Ardant’s return

Ardant, a César Award winner whose career includes more than 80 films, returns to Cyprus nine years after her appearance at Paphos Castle.

She has previously performed Cassandre in Avignon, Paris and Athens. “My only luxury in life is to do what I love,” Ardant said. “I am not professional enough to perform a role I do not love.”

Open Talk

An Open Talk will take place at Crowne Plaza Limassol Hotel & Spa on the afternoon before the premiere, when Ardant will meet guests for cocktails and conversation.

The 2.30pm event will be moderated by independent journalist Katerina Gordeeva, known for her long-form interview project Skazhi Gordeevoy (Tell Gordeeva). It will open with Opera Moments, a vocal tribute to Maria Callas by soprano Ksenia Belolipetskaya and pianist Zbyněk Maruška.

Cassandre will be performed at Rialto Theatre, Limassol, at 8pm on October 2. Tickets and information are available at www.soldoutticketbox.com and www.citf.cy/2026/cassandre-fanny-ardant.