Francesca Zambello Withdraws as Jury Member at Karol Szymanowski Competition Following Russian Music Ban

https://operawire.com/francesca-zambello-withdraws-as-jury-member-at-karol-szymanowski-competition-following-russian-music-ban/

Francesca Zambello has withdrawn from the Karol Szymanowski Competition as a jury member due to the competition’s decision to ban Russian music. In a letter to the competition, Zambello wrote, “I have just heard from Thomas Hampson about your rules for the exclusion of Russian repertory from the competition. I am against the actions of President Putin, but I am {…}

Special Features

The Ring in San Francisco – Francesca Zambello & Production Designer Michael Yeargan Head Panel on Wagner the Environmentalist

https://operawire.com/the-ring-in-san-francisco-francesca-zambello-production-designer-michael-yeargan-head-panel-on-wagner-the-environmentalist/

San Francisco Opera is in the midst of its month-long festival dedicated to Wagner’s “Ring Cycle.” In the coming weeks, Lois Silverstein will explore her experience not only revisiting the 2018 opera production, but several of the events and panels presented by the company. The landscape of the American West became the environmental directive for the 2018 Ring for Francesca Zambello. {…}

Opera Quiz

Opera Quiz: How Well Do You Know Francesca Zambello’s Legendary Career?

https://operawire.com/opera-quiz-how-well-do-you-know-francesca-zambellos-legendary-career/

When it comes to operatic forces in the directing space, few have been as potent as Francesca Zambello. One of the few women to shine on the directorial scene during a time when directors were virtually all men (especially in the opera world), Zambello not only established her own signature style and voice but rose to leadership positions at several {…}

News

Washington National Opera Extends Francesca Zambello’s Contract

https://operawire.com/washington-national-opera-extends-francesca-zambellos-contract/

Francesca Zambello will continue to be a major fixture at the Washington National Opera through the 2020-21 season. The famed director has extended her contract as Artistic Director for three more years following a unanimous vote by the WNO Board of Trustees. “Francesca has transformed WNO since her arrival, and her retention as artistic director was vital in serving the {…}

Behind the Scenes, Interviews

Q & A: Eric Sean Fogel On Choreographing Opera & Working With Francesca Zambello

https://operawire.com/q-a-eric-fogel-on-choreographing-opera-working-with-francesca-zambello/

Last year, Francesca Zambello went in depth about her work at the Glimmerglass Festival and her position at Washington National Opera, roles that require tremendous dedication on the iconic director’s part. Her busy slate makes it essential that she have a strong team surrounding her to provide strong support. Enter Eric Sean Fogel. He’s worked as choreographer on a number {…}

News

Top 5 Operas to See This Weekend – North America (7/6-8): Francesca Zambello, Central City Opera, & Andy Warhol-Inspired ‘Bohème’ Lead Weekend

https://operawire.com/top-5-operas-to-see-this-weekend-north-america-7-6-8-francesca-zambello-central-city-opera-andy-warhol-inspired-boheme-lead-weekend/

It’s a busy weekend filled with a plethora of amazing choices for opera audiences around North America. The selections feature a wide-range of repertoire, from newer operas to classic repertory gems. Here are our top five for the weekend, in alphabetical order by company. The Magic Flute – Central City Opera The CCO opens its summer season with Mozart’s famed {…}

Reviews, Stage Reviews

The Glimmerglass Festival 2017 – The Siege Of Calais: Francesca Zambello, Leah Crocetto & Aleks Romano Make A Great Case For Donizetti’s Forgotten Work

https://operawire.com/the-glimmerglass-festival-2017-the-siege-of-calais-francesca-zambello-leah-crocetto-aleks-romano-make-a-great-case-for-donizettis-forgotten-work/

It’s no surprise that most of Donizetti’s output is rarely performed, with many operas becoming obscure to many audiences. Only a few of his works have actually had a chance to make their way into the repertoire and remain there consistently. But this is not the case with “L’Assedio di Calais” which premiered in 1836 and has since been performed {…}

Behind the Scenes, Interviews

Shaping the Operatic Future – Francesca Zambello on Being Artistic Head At WNO & The Glimmerglass Festival

https://operawire.com/shaping-the-operatic-future-francesca-zambello-on-being-artistic-head-at-wno-the-glimmerglass-festival/

It was backstage at the Washington National Opera Gala after a star-studded evening. The stars standing outside their dressing rooms receiving backstage guests as they started to accumulate at the bottom of the stairs in their evening wear. That’s where we caught WNO Artistic Director Francesca Zambello, who had, as she is known to do, watched the entire show from {…}

News, Season Announcement

Glimmerglass Festival Announces 2026 Season

https://operawire.com/glimmerglass-festival-announces-2026-season/

The Glimmerglass Festival has announced its 2026 season. Here is a look at the productions. Mainstage Productions The season opens with Rodgers and Hammerstein’s “Oklahoma!” Francesca Zambello directs the production by James Lowe. Performance Dates: July 10-August 15, 2026 Joshua Horowitz revives Francesca Zambello’s production of Puccini’s “Madama Butterfly.” Joseph Colaneri conducts. Performance Dates: July 11-August 17, 2026 Kelley Rourke adapts {…}

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