Francesca Zambello
Christine Ebersole and Billy Stritch Return to 54 Below This Fall (Apr 16, 2026)
Conductor James Gaffigan to Lead Chicago Symphony, NSO & San Francisco Symphony in Spring 2026 (Apr 15, 2026)
DON GIOVANNI, LA TRAVIATA and More Set for Lyric Opera of Chicago 2026/27 Season (Apr 9, 2026)
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 - 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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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