Paris (AFP)
A mass in memory of the actor and director Robert Hossein was celebrated Tuesday afternoon in the Saint-Sulpice church, in Paris, in the presence of Brigitte Macron and the Minister of Culture Roselyne Bachelot, a month after the funeral nuns of the artist in Vittel (Vosges) where he lived.
Unforgettable Count of Peyrac in the saga of "Angélique" and famous for his mega-productions on stage, Robert Hossein died on December 31, at the age of 93.
During the Parisian office broadcast live on the KTO channel, messages from Brigitte Bardot, Michèle Mercier, who played the "Marquise des Anges", and Isabelle Adjani, who made his debut at the theater thanks to Robert Hossein, were read by journalist Henry-Jean Servat.
"You were my father of the theater and gave birth to me on stage," wrote Isabelle Adjani.
"Nothing can stop or extinguish the flames you have kindled," added the actress, calling on the deceased to "push a loud rant from beyond to take over the stages and the dressing rooms, and bring the audience back towards theatrical creation ".
In an open letter addressed to Candice Patou, the widow of Robert Hossein, Brigitte Bardot paid homage to "a magnificent warrior, a Robin Hood who gave to the most deprived".
The actor Jacques Weber hailed him "the popular theater man who made millions of spectators want theater, books and culture".
Some 400 people attended this requiem mass including former minister Jack Lang and actresses Brigitte Fossey and Macha Méril.
Mgr Michel Aupetit, Archbishop of Paris, recalled the claimed faith of Robert Hossein.
"Life is what is built in discoveries and curiosity, what we lack in these times of confinement", added the prelate.
Baptized at the age of 50, Robert Hossein created several shows celebrating the Catholic faith including "A man named Jesus", "Jesus was his name", "Jesus the resurrection" and "A woman named Mary".
© 2021 AFP