Francesca cares passionately about the next generation and incorporating them and their voices in the opera. She has dedicated her time working with GGF and WNO to create new content for families and kids and continues to commission new works for young voices over the years. Francesca feels strongly about including children on the stage, as she believes that their presence in a performance makes all the difference in their perception of the arts.

The idea for Glimmerglass’ Attica Correctional Facility initiative began in 2014, when Dr. Teresa Miller, now Vice Chancellor of the State University of New York and an expert on prison reform, participated in a ShowTalk on An American Tragedy presented by Glimmerglass.

Dr. Miller knew of Francesca’s interest in education and engaging diverse populations, and took the opportunity to introduce her to the Superintendent at Attica. A unique and artistic relationship with the institution quickly flourished and led to the launch of the program in 2015. Each year, the festival’s involvement continues – all thanks to Francesca. In 2015, the principal cast of Macbeth visited Attica to perform scenes from the opera, as Francesca offered commentary and facilitated a talk-back. In 2016, the La Bohème cast enthralled the prison audience, and in 2017 Francesca brought Porgy and Bess, West Side Story, and Show Boat to the stage.