The Washington National Opera has made two major appointments.

The company announced that Chelsea Antrim Dennis would be its Director of Production, while Samuel Gelber would take on the role of Director of Artistic Planning and Operations.

“We are excited to welcome Chelsea to the WNO and Kennedy Center families and to be continuing our collaboration with Sam in this expanded role,” said General Director Timothy O’Leary and Artistic Director Francesca Zambello in an official press statement. “They are both accomplished professionals and will bring their skills to the rest of the extraordinary WNO team to help make possible our mission to produce world-class seasons, to connect to our community, and to shape the future of opera. We are grateful to our colleagues at the Santa Fe Opera for helping us with a smooth transition.”

Dennis’ tenure is set to kick off on August 7, 2023. She is currently Director of Production at the Santa Fe Opera and in her new role will “will oversee the technical production, costumes, lighting, stage management, facilities planning & administration, and rehearsal departments.” She has been at Santa Fe Opera for 19 years and has previously worked as a production stage manager with such companies as the Los Angeles Opera and Boston Lyric Opera. She has also worked with the New York City Opera, the San Francisco Opera, and the Lyric Opera of Chicago.

Gelber has served as the Washington National Opera’s Director of Artistic Planning since 2018 and will now have an expanded role in working with artistic and music administration, the WNO music staff, and will also engage stage directors and orchestra, management. He will continue his duties as casting director. Gelber was previously an artistic administrator at Los Angeles Opera and was also a manager work with such artists as Renée Fleming, Lawrence Brownlee, Marco Armiliato, and Julia Fischer.https://francescazambello.com/