Egyptian opera singer Farrah El Dibany is set to portray the legendary Dalida in an upcoming Egyptian-French musical celebrating the Cairo-born star’s life, music, and enduring international legacy.
Titled Dalida: The Song That Never Ends, the production will make its world premiere at the Bibliotheca Alexandrina on October 31, 2026, before moving to Cairo for a series of performances in November.
A Childhood Dream for Farrah El Dibany
For El Dibany, taking on the role of Dalida represents more than a new professional challenge. The internationally acclaimed mezzo-soprano revealed that portraying the music icon had been a childhood dream and that she initially developed the idea before approaching filmmaker Khairy Beshara to direct it.
The project was later developed with screenwriter Walid Khairy, whose script explores both Dalida’s public success and lesser-known moments from her personal journey.
Rather than presenting a straightforward biographical account, the production is expected to combine theatre, music, and memory to examine the contrasts within Dalida’s character—from the strength she displayed on stage to the vulnerability she experienced behind the scenes.
Khairy Beshara Directs the Production
Veteran Egyptian filmmaker Khairy Beshara will direct the musical, bringing his distinctive storytelling approach to Dalida’s complex life.
Beshara has described the singer as a woman of striking contradictions: a widely adored global star who carried deep personal wounds while maintaining a powerful presence in front of her audience. That tension is expected to form a central part of the theatrical production.
The show is produced by Ahmad Fawzy through 26One1 Company, while French-Armenian pianist, composer, and arranger André Manoukian will create new arrangements of Dalida’s music.
Tracing Dalida’s Journey from Cairo to Global Stardom
Born in Cairo in 1933, Dalida went on to build an international career that crossed languages, cultures, and musical styles. Yet despite finding fame in Europe, her Egyptian and Mediterranean identity remained an important part of her artistic story.
Dalida: The Song That Never Ends will trace her path from her early years in Egypt to her rise as one of the 20th century’s most recognizable performers. The musical will also highlight her continuing connection to Egypt and the Arab world, while revisiting the songs that shaped her career.
The production is being created to coincide with the 40th anniversary of Dalida’s death, offering a contemporary theatrical interpretation of an artist whose music continues to resonate across generations.
Part of the 2026 Mediterranean Season
The musical was officially unveiled at a press conference held at the French Embassy in Cairo, attended by El Dibany, Beshara, Walid Khairy, and French Ambassador to Egypt Éric Chevalier.
It forms part of the 2026 Mediterranean Season, a French-led cultural initiative promoting creative exchange and collaboration between countries across the Mediterranean. The Alexandria premiere will also serve as the closing event of the season.
By bringing together Egyptian and French artists, the production reflects Dalida’s own journey between the two countries and celebrates the cultural ties that shaped her identity.
With El Dibany in the leading role, Beshara behind the production, and newly arranged versions of Dalida’s music, The Song That Never Ends is set to reintroduce the celebrated singer’s story to audiences through a new generation and a new theatrical form.
