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Francesca Zambello Headshot

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

 
[Washington, DC (Regional), 2018]
Director
 
[Broadway, 2013]
Associate Producer
 
[Broadway, 2013]
Producer
 
[Broadway, 2008]
Director
 
[US Tour, 2008]
Director
 
[West End, 2006]
Director
 
[West End, 1997]
Director

Videos

News

Single Tickets to Lyric Opera of Chicago’s 2026/27 Season on Sale This Week
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.
Washington National Opera to Launch National Friends Group With Virtual Forum
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.
Washington National Opera Marks 25 Seasons of Cafritz Young Artists Program, Reveals 2026-2027 Roster
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.
Single Tickets On Sale For Houston Grand Opera’s 2026-27 Season
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.
Speight Jenkins, Former Seattle Opera General Director, Dies at 89
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.
Review: TURANDOT Returns for Another Go-Around at the Met in Classic Zeffirelli Production
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.)
Lyric Opera of Kansas City Announces Retirement of General Director and CEO Deborah Sandler Kemper
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.
Review: WEST SIDE STORY Presented by Washington National Opera at The Music Center At Strathmore
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
Renée Fleming, Isabel Leonard and More Set for Washington National Opera's 2026-2027 Season
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
Christine Ebersole and Billy Stritch Return to 54 Below This Fall
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.
Conductor James Gaffigan to Lead Chicago Symphony, NSO & San Francisco Symphony in Spring 2026
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.
DON GIOVANNI, LA TRAVIATA and More Set for Lyric Opera of Chicago 2026/27 Season
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.
Washington National Opera Names Marc A. Scorca to Board of Trustees
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.
WNO Cafritz Young Artists Program to Present Menotti's OLD MAID AND THE THIEF
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.
Houston Grand Opera Unveils 2026-27 Season - DER ROSENKAVALIER, SHOW BOAT and More
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.
Review: THE CRUCIBLE at Lisner Auditorium
by Laurie Sara Oliver - Mar 24, 2026

What did our critic think of THE CRUCIBLE at Lisner Auditorium?
Video: First Look at THE CRUCIBLE at Washington National Opera
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.
WNO Artistic Director Francesca Zambello Inducted Into OPERA America's Opera Hall Of Fame
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.
Six Singers Named Winners Of The 2026 Metropolitan Opera Eric and Dominique Laffont Competition
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.
Washington National Opera Opens THE CRUCIBLE At Lisner Auditorium
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.

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