Francesca Zambello to Be Artistic Advisor for Washington National Opera

Theater and opera director Francesca Zambello has been appointed Artistic Advisor for Washington National Opera. The company has also named Chief Operating Officer Michael L. Mael as Executive Director. These changes come into effect as WNO enters into its affiliation with the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, effective July 1.

As part of her duties, Zambello will offer advice and expertise related to opera repertoire, casting and creative teams.

Zambello is the artistic and general director of Glimmerglass Opera and is also artistic adviser to the San Francisco Opera. Her theater credits include her direction of the Broadway production of The Little Mermaid, the world premiere of The First Wives Club, and national tour of The Little House on the Prairie.

She made her WNO company debut with Of Mice and Men in 2001, and has returned to direct Das Rheingold, Die Walküre, Siegfried, Porgy and Bess, Billy Budd, Fidelio and mostly recently, Salome.

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