It is with much sadness that we announce the passing of Franco Dragone. The Dragone company and Franco’s family thank you all for the outpouring of support and love from around the world. Franco was an entertainment Titan, but more importantly, to us, he was a colleague, a father, a husband and a friend.
On September 30, 2022, he experienced a heart attack and died in a hospital in Cairo. Franco was in Egypt exploring the historic location for a potential production.
We ask all of you, as he would, to continue to “shake the stage” and stretch the limits of what is possible. We will carry his torch, and we hope all those touched by him will do the same.
Every little thing, even the most trivial, can be reinvented with imagination, as if it were seen through the eyes of a child.
–Franco Dragone
About Franco
Franco Dragone is the Founder – Artistic Director of the cultural creation company Dragone. One of the world’s most sought-after artistic directors, he was renowned for having invented a new genre in the 1980’s and 90’s by mixing human performance, dance, the four elements of life, technology and music. The shows Franco created during his early days forever changed the face of live entertainment in Las Vegas and, decades later, these shows still receive nightly standing ovations.
Born in a small village in southern Italy, he moved to Belgium with his family at an early age. Franco went on to study drama at the Conservatory in Mons where he fell in love with commedia dell’arte and political theatre. It was at this time that Franco first created his own works, translating the sorrows and dreams of those around him into emotionally charged, living works of art.
In the 1980’s, Franco joined the nascent Cirque du Soleil and played an instrumental role in their planetary ascent by signing their biggest successes as Creative Director. Over twelve years he would sign no less than ten shows, among them: Le Cirque Réinventé, Nouvelle Expérience, Saltimbanco, Quidam, Mystère, Alegria, O and La Nouba.
In 2000, driven by artistic, entrepreneurial and social aspirations, Franco returned to his hometown of La Louvière and founded Dragone. La Louvière became home to world-class teams involved in the entire production process of Franco’s creations. In 2022, Dragone opened a permanent office in Las Vegas. Among the Company’s most significant shows: Celine Dion A New Day; Le Rêve (Las Vegas); The House of Dancing Water (Macau); Aida (Naples); The Han Show (Wuhan, China); The Dai Show (Xishuangbanna, China) ; Philipp Kirkorov – Me (Russia); La Perle (Dubai, UAE).
16 Responses
A legend for sure. Prayers for his family and friends.
I will be forever grateful to Franco Dragone!! My son Michael Brennan who sadly passed away January of 2022 was introduced in Las Vegas to Franco becoming his musical director for La Rev, La Perle among many other projects. He was Michael’s mentor and great friend. RIP Franco Dragone
Un très très grand créateur et un ami
Guy
The artistic world, lost it’s master. R.I.P. Franco.
Au revoir et merci pour tout Franco. Je me sens tellement privilégiée d’avoir eu la chance de travailler avec toi. Adieu 😔
La disparition inopinée de Franco m’a causé un grand choc. Mes pensées vont à sa famille et ses proches à qui je présente mes plus sincères condoléances.
Malgré le fait que nous nous soyons perdu de vue ces dernières années in continuait à vivre dans mon cœur comme un frère, un vigile, un poteau indicateur sur le radeau de la méduse.
Pleurons ensemble. Comment faire sans lui ?
Patrick Neys
Ambassadeur honoraire.
Co-fondateur de Kabissa.
All my thoughts and admiration for this great gentleman. Thank you Franco
Annette Wins
A big lost to the art family.. A legend and a star, condolence to his family and friends.
I am so heart broken over the passing of dear Franco. I have been in the Entertainment industry for 32 years and I have always followed Franco’s career. Watched what he did in Vegas and all around the world. There is no one like him. I will deeply miss him and never forget him. But I know his company will live on with the incredible people he has working by his side. God bless you Franco, RIP and watch over us all. You are truly 1 in a million.
A teacher, a wizard, a joker, a tyrant, a muse, a father, a brother from another mother… and a pure artist. We lost an entire collective and I am still in disbelief that I have to live with unfinished conversations and ideas. All my love to the Dragone family.
A creative genius – gone too early and a huge loss to the world of entertainment. Condolences to his friends and families.
I was in La Louvière on 24 and appreciate very much the opera « décrocher la lune » will keep this Eve in my memory and never forget Franco . Dors en paix
Mes condoléances à toute la famille et les amis.
J’ai beaucoup apprécier quand j’ai travailler avec lui. Son amitié pendant le travail. Que son âme repose en paix. Que Dieu lui donne le ciel.
Très cher Franco,
Tu as ouvert mon esprit, touché mon cœur et changé ma vie.
Je chérirai à jamais notre temps ensemble.
Avec amour et gratitude – SHAKE THE STAGE!
Chris Giordano
Mes plus belles pensées à toute la famille.
Sans aucuns doutes, Franco aura marquer ma vie à jamais. Voici un texte que j’avais écrit il y à déjà quelques années. Un moment suspendu qui évoque encore de vives émotions.
https://www.theatreartlife.com/carpentry-props/little-red-dragon/
J’ai tellement appris …
Ciao Franco, Merci
Aurelie