Francesca Zambello
Latest News on Francesca Zambello:
BIO
Francesca Zambello is an internationally recognized and award-winning opera and theater director. Her recent theatrical credits include The Little Mermaid for Disney on Broadway, Little House on the Prairie for the Guthrie Theater, Rebecca for the Vienna Raimund Theater, West Side Story for the floating stage in Bergenz, Austria, and Showboat at The Royal Albert Hall. She is the Artistic Advisor of the San Francisco Opera where she is helming a new Ring Cycle and Porgy and Bess this season. She has many notable directing credits at the Metropolitan Opera, including An American Tragedy, Cyrano and Les Troyens, as well as at Teatro alla Scala, Royal Albert Hall, Bolshoi, Royal Opera House, Paris Opera, Washington Opera, and Chicago Lyric, among others. Her honors include three Olivier Awards, two Evening Standard Awards, two French Grand Prix des Critiques, Helpmann Award, Palme d'Or in Germany and the Golden Mask in Russia.
Photos
Productions
Videos
Video: First Look at THE CRUCIBLE at Washington National Opera
by Joshua Wright - 2026-03-24 12:13:49
Video: Rob Colletti & Hayley Podschun Sing 'Sue Me' from GUYS AND DOLLS
by Joshua Wright - 2026-01-05 12:14:15
Video: 'Luck Be a Lady' from GUYS AND DOLLS at Shakespeare Theatre Company
by Joshua Wright - 2025-12-22 13:26:42
Video: Julie Benko Sings 'If I Were a Bell' In GUYS AND DOLLS at Shakespeare Theatre Company
by A.A. Cristi - 2025-12-15 23:40:48
Video: Kyle Taylor Parker Sings 'Sit Down, You're Rockin' The Boat' from GUYS AND DOLLS
by Joshua Wright - 2025-12-10 18:33:06
Video: Watch 'Nume custode e vindice' from Verdi's AIDA at Lyric Opera of Chicago
by Joshua Wright - 2024-04-02 16:45:57
Video: Russell Thomas Performs 'Celeste Aida' from Verdi's AIDA at Lyric Opera of Chicago
by Joshua Wright - 2024-03-27 15:07:08
Video: Watch 'Triumphal March' from Verdi's AIDA at Lyric Opera of Chicago
by Blair Ingenthron - 2024-03-24 14:30:32
Video: Watch a Trailer for Lyric Opera of Chicago's Production of Verdi's AIDA
by Blair Ingenthron - 2024-03-10 13:28:44
VIDEO: Washington National Opera Presents The 11th Season Of American Opera Initiative Featuring Three World Premieres
by Joshua Wright - 2024-01-16 16:22:46
Video: Ryan McCartan Sings 'Something's Coming' From WEST SIDE STORY at Lyric Opera of Chicago
by Alan Henry - 2023-06-13 16:10:46
AN EVENING WITH AUDRA MCDONALD, CHAMPION & More Set for Lyric Opera of Chicago 2023/24 Season
by Chloe Rabinowitz - 2023-03-14 14:00:20
First Look: Willemijn Verkaik Returns to the Stage in REBECCA the Musical in Vienna
by Team BWW - 2022-09-26 15:45:25
VIDEO: Works & Process at the Guggenheim On Washington National Opera's WRITTEN IN STONE
by Alan Henry - 2022-02-11 09:49:49
VIDEO: Get a Sneak Peek at Washington National Opera's RETURN VICTORIOUS! Virtual Celebration
by Stephi Wild - 2021-06-11 07:44:47
News
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jul 6, 2026
Single tickets go on sale for Lyric Opera of Chicago’s 2026/27 Season — seven operas spanning centuries and continents, four unique concerts, two Academy Award–winning films performed live, plus more.
by A.A. Cristi - Jun 29, 2026
Washington National Opera announced the formation of the National Friends of Washington National Opera, a new initiative to connect supporters worldwide. An inaugural live virtual forum, hosted by incoming board member Marc A. Scorca, will kick off the effort.
by Stephi Wild - Jun 24, 2026
Washington National Opera announced its 2026–2027 Cafritz Young Artists roster as the program marks its 25th season. The 12 singers and pianists were selected from over 800 applicants and will perform in five WNO productions.
by Stephi Wild - Jun 17, 2026
Houston Grand Opera has put single tickets on sale for its upcoming season, featuring 38 performances across six productions, including SUSANNAH, SHOW BOAT, and a new staging of AIDA.
by Stephi Wild - Jun 3, 2026
Speight Jenkins, who led Seattle Opera for 31 years and transformed it into one of the most respected opera companies in the US, has died at 89, the company announced.
by Richard Sasanow - May 24, 2026
I’d say that “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” is not a maxim that has ever been used for Puccini’s Chinese-inspired fairytale, TURANDOT, which returned for another go-around at the Met the other day with two alternating casts. (I saw it with Liudmyla Monastyrska, Roberto Alagna and Juliana Grigoryan in the main roles.)
by A.A. Cristi - May 20, 2026
Anthony Durone, president of the Lyric Opera of Kansas City Board of Trustees, has announced that Deborah Sandler Kemper, the company's General Director and Chief Executive Officer since 2012, will be retiring effective June 30, 2027, after 15 years of leadership.
by David Friscic - May 19, 2026
It was good to be back at the Washington National Opera for their thrilling performance of West Side Story after a year of extreme change for this vital world-renowned artistic organization/institution. As many people already know, the Washington National Opera has had to relocate to other venues to proactively create new artistic paradigms after some tough challenges at the Kennedy Center. (I was pleased to review this production on the night of May 14, 2026, at The Music Center at Strathmore
by Chloe Rabinowitz - May 15, 2026
Washington National Opera has unveiled its 2026-2027 season—its first full season as an independent company, following its departure from the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in January 2026
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Apr 16, 2026
54 Below will welcome back two-time Tony Award winner Christine Ebersole, joined by her longtime music director Billy Stritch, for a special evening celebrating their 25-year friendship.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Apr 15, 2026
James Gaffigan will conduct the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, National Symphony Orchestra, and San Francisco Symphony this spring, with Jean-Yves Thibaudet among featured soloists.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Apr 9, 2026
Lyric Opera of Chicago has unveiled its 2026/27 Season — a landmark lineup of seven operas spanning centuries and continents, three unique concerts, two Academy Award–winning films performed with live orchestra and more.
by Nicole Rosky - Mar 30, 2026
Widely regarded as one of the most influential leaders in the American opera field, Scorca brings decades of experience advancing opera companies, artists, and audiences across the United States.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Mar 26, 2026
The Washington National Opera’s Cafritz Young Artists Program will perform Gian Carlo Menotti’s Old Maid and the Thief at the WNO Studio in Washington, D.C.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Mar 25, 2026
Houston Grand Opera has revealed its 2026-27 season, which includes a new production of Verdi’s Aida; a new staging of Carlisle Floyd’s seminal American opera, Susannah and more.
by Laurie Sara Oliver - Mar 24, 2026
What did our critic think of THE CRUCIBLE at Lisner Auditorium?
by Joshua Wright - Mar 24, 2026
Watch a first look video of THE CRUCIBLE at Washington National Opera, running March 21–29, 2026, with full cast and creative team details.
by Stephi Wild - Mar 24, 2026
Washington National Opera Artistic Director Francesca Zambello was inducted into the OPERA America Opera Hall of Fame at the OPERA America Salutes Awards Dinner on Friday, March 20, 2026, at The Plaza Hotel.
by Stephi Wild - Mar 23, 2026
The Met has announced the winners of the 2026 Metropolitan Opera Eric and Dominique Laffont Competition, awarding six talented singers from a rigorous series of contests.
by A.A. Cristi - Mar 17, 2026
Washington National Opera will present THE CRUCIBLE March 21–29 at Lisner Auditorium in Washington, D.C. Directed by Francesca Zambello and conducted by Robert Spano, the production features J’Nai Bridges and Ryan McKinny.
BroadwayWorld TV




