Cassandre with Fanny Ardant

Inspired by the work of Christa Wolf, this monodrama for actor and orchestra presents the final moments just before Cassandra, given the gift of prophecy but defeated by gods and people alike, falls into the hands of the Achaeans. In the little time she has left, the daughter of Troy tells her story and her sufferings as a child, lover, prisoner and woman. No longer fully alive, soon to die, she chooses a third form of existence, neither good nor evil, neither just nor unjust, as always refusing all pretense, she who has witnessed only continual war. In a world of deception and deceit, Cassandra is a hero beyond the world. She is that voice, fragile and stubborn, which sleeps in all of us, and which inconveniently sometimes surges forth.

The work's author, Christa Wolf is considered one of the most important contemporary writers. Growing up in Germany under the Nazis, after World War II, she joined the SED, East Germany's communist ruling party. During the 1989 events, Wolf was one of the most prominent voices of the democratic movement, remaining, however, opposed to the German reunification and opting for and alternative, “third way,” causing strong reactions. Wolf visited Greece twice; her first trip in 1980, was the inspiration for Cassandre (1982).

Cassandre was first staged in 1994 at the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris, and has been translated since into German, English, Italian and Finnish, playing in such prestigious venues as the Konzerthaus in Berlin, the Teatro Colon in Buenos Aires and the Carnegie Hall in New York.

In this Comédie de Genève production, director Hervé Loichemol highlights the strength of Cassandra, while composer Michael Jarrell dresses the performance with different music genres, creating the framework within which Fanny Ardant, performs exquisitely the role of Cassandra. Ardant is accompanied by the Academica Athens Orchestra, under the direction of Jean Deroyer. 

Music: Michael Jarrell
Text: Christa Wolf
Greek translation: Katerina Schina
Direction: Hervé Loichemol
Scenography: Seith Tillett
Costumes: Nicole Rauscher
Lighting: Jean-Philippe Monteiro
Orchestra: Academica Athens Orchestra
Orchestra Direction: Jean Deroyer
Production: Comédie de Genève

Cassandra: Fanny Ardant

GNO STAVROS NIARCHOS HALL

Free admission by pre-registration at www.snfcc.org

Pre-registration for Members (limited seats) will open on 27/08  at 12.00 noon.
Pre-registration for public will open on 28/08 at 12.00 noon.

At events without intermission, late seating can be only allowed in case of a pause.

Limited number of entry passes will be distributed on the day of the performance from 19.30 onwards at the GNO reception area. The entry passes that will not be presented and by 20.15 will be reissued and distributed to cover the needs of the waiting line.