Short Bio

Francesca Zambello

Francesca Zambello has been the Artistic Director of the Washington National Opera since 2013. She is also the Artistic & General Director of the Glimmerglass Festival, Emerita. She has staged new productions at major theaters and opera houses in Europe, Asia, Australia, Russia, and the U.S. She has worked at more than 50 international and American opera houses. Her theatrical work has been performed on Broadway, the West End and in European theaters. She is a Chevalier des Arts et des Lettres, a Knight with the Order of the Star of Italy and she has received the Russian Federation’s Arts Medal for her service to culture. Other honors include from Olivier Awards, Evening Standard Awards, French Grand Prix des Critiques, Golden Mask Awards and Green Room Awards as well as the Medallion Society Award from the San Francisco Opera, recognizing 30 years of work for the company, including directing the Ring Cycle twice.

She recently was inducted into the Opera America Hall of Fame.