Death of Lebanese theater director Pierre Audi

Lebanese-French theater director Pierre Audi, one of the most prominent figures in the world of opera and theater, has passed away at the age of 67. His death was announced by the Aix-en-Provence Festival and the French Ministry of Culture. He passed away on the night of Friday, May 2, in Beijing, China. Get the latest celebrity ads directly on the Special app, where we show you everything new from international stars.

Aix-en-Provence Festival mourns Pierre Aoude

The Aix-en-Provence Festival issued an official statement expressing its deep sorrow over the passing of its general director, Pierre Audi. The statement read: "With deep sadness and sorrow, the festival team received the news of the sudden death of the great director, Pierre Audi. The world of art and creativity has lost a unique artist and an exceptional director."

The French Minister of Culture praised his career.

For her part, French Culture Minister Rachida Dati expressed her grief via X (formerly Twitter), writing: "Pierre Audi dedicated his life to artistic creativity and played a major role in profoundly and influentially revitalizing the language of opera."

A rich artistic career that began in Beirut and reached the most prominent opera houses in the world. Pierre Audi was born in Beirut and began his artistic career in the early 1980s. He was distinguished by his passion for opera, especially outdoor performances. He helped establish the Almeida Theatre in London, located in an abandoned building, transforming it into a vibrant space for artistic innovation and creativity.

Outstanding Achievements in European Opera

In 2019, Pierre Aoude took over as General Director of the Aix-en-Provence Festival, one of the world's leading international theatre and opera festivals, and was reappointed to this position in 2021 for a term originally scheduled to extend until 2027.

He previously served as Artistic Director of the Dutch National Opera and was scheduled to direct Puccini's Tosca at the Paris Opéra in late 2025. Enjoy interesting and useful content with an exclusive podcast that provides you with everything you need to know in just a few minutes via the Special app.

A firm belief in art as a means of overcoming crises

Awda is known for his deep belief in the power of singing and musical theatre, considering them among the most capable art forms of overcoming crises. This belief is evident in his works, including his direction of Samir Awda Tamimi's "The End of the Arab World" at the 2021 Aix Festival.