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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.

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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


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.
O'KEEFFE: KISS THE SKY Preview to be Presented by Cincinnati Opera and CCM
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Mar 2, 2026

Cincinnati Opera and the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music will present an exclusive preview of O’Keeffe: Kiss the Sky, a new opera-ballet commissioned by Washington National Opera.
BWW Review: PORGY AND BESS at Kauffman Center For The Performing Arts
by Andrew Burrill - Mar 2, 2026

Lyric Opera of Kansas City’s The Gershwins’ PORGY AND BESS is a vocally commanding and spiritually powerful production, led by standout performances from Eric Greene and Michelle Bradley under the legendary direction of Francesca Zambello.
The Dallas Opera Reveals 2026/27 Season - THE ELIXIR OF LOVE, TURANDOT and More
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Feb 24, 2026

The Dallas Opera revealed programming for its 2026/2027 Season at the Winspear Opera House in Dallas. The company’s 69th season features four mainstage productions: Donizetti’s The Elixir of Love and more.
Rob McClure, National Tours of KIMBERLY AKIMBO and SOME LIKE IT HOT Among 2026 Helen Hayes Award Nominees
by A.A. Cristi - Feb 24, 2026

The 2026 Helen Hayes Award nominations have been announced, recognizing outstanding achievement in Washington-area professional theatre. Arena Stage, Signature Theatre, Shakespeare Theatre Company, Round House Theatre, and dozens of regional companies are represented across performance, direction, design, and production categories. The awards highlight the breadth of theatre work presented throughout the D.C. metropolitan area.
Exclusive: Washington National Opera Forges Ahead Following Kennedy Center Split
by Joshua Wright - Feb 19, 2026

Washington National Opera General Director Timothy O'Leary discusses the company's transition, community support, rebuilding operations, and future plans, including upcoming productions of TREEMONISHA, THE CRUCIBLE, and WEST SIDE STORY.
Ryan McCartan and Shereen Pimentel to Star in WEST SIDE STORY at Washington National Opera
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Feb 16, 2026

Washington National Opera has revealed new venues and dates for its production of Bernstein's West Side Story, which will star Ryan McCartan and Shereen Pimentel.
LA Opera Unveils 2026/27 Season Lineup Featuring New Music Director Domingo Hindoyan
by A.A. Cristi - Feb 4, 2026

Christopher Koelsch, the Sebastian Paul and Marybelle Musco President and CEO of LA Opera, has announced details for the company's 2026/27 season, which will launch on October 17, 2026.
Wagner's DAS RHEINGOLD and More Set for San Francisco Opera 2026-27 Season
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Feb 4, 2026

San Francisco Opera will present a dynamic 2026-27 season, featuring a mix of classic operas and new productions. Highlights include premieres and revivals at the iconic War Memorial Opera House.
Washington National Opera Negotiates Kennedy Center Exit & Endowment Ownership
by Joshua Wright - Jan 22, 2026

Washington National Opera’s planned separation from the Kennedy Center is moving into a complex legal stage, with negotiations underway over assets, facilities, and the future of the Kennedy Center Opera House Orchestra.

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