FRANCESCA ZAMBELLO
Photo by Claire McAdams
Artistic Director
Washington National Opera
Artistic & General Director
The Glimmerglass Festival
An internationally recognized director of opera and theater, Francesca Zambello takes a special interest in new music theater works, innovative productions, and in producing theater and opera for wider audiences.
Ms. Zambello has been the General Director of The Glimmerglass Festival since 2010, and the Artistic Director of The Washington National Opera at the Kennedy Center since 2012. She also served as the Artistic Advisor to the San Francisco Opera from 2005-2011, and as the Artistic Director of the Skylight Theater from 1987-1992. In her current roles at the Kennedy Center and the Glimmerglass Festival she is responsible for producing 12 productions annually. She has begun major commissioning programs for new works in both companies that have resulted in productions of many large and small-scaled new works. During her tenure, both companies have increased their national and international profiles.
Ms. Zambello has recently been awarded the Chevalier des Arts et des Lettres by the French government for her contribution to French culture and the Russian Federation's medal for Service to Culture. Other honors for her work include three Olivier Awards from the London Society of Theaters and two Evening Standard Awards for Best Musical and Best Opera. She has also received the award for Best Company Achievement. The French Grand Prix des Critiques was awarded to her twice for her work at the Paris Opera. Other awards include Best Production in Japan, the Palme d'Or in Germany, the Golden Mask in Russia and the Helpmann Award in Australia.
An American who grew up in Europe, Ms. Zambello speaks French, Italian, German, and Russian. She has been guest professor at Harvard, Berkeley, Yale and The Juilliard School.