The internationally recognized opera and theater director has served as the Artistic Director of the Washington National Opera at the Kennedy Center since 2012. She is also the Artistic & General Director Emerita of the Glimmerglass Festival, where she held the position from 2010 to 2022. From 2005 to 2011, she acted as the Artistic Advisor to the San Francisco Opera and was the Artistic Director of the Skylight Theatre from 1987 to 1992.
Zambello made her U.S. directing debut with a production of Fidelio at the Houston Grand Opera. Her European debut occurred at Teatro La Fenice in Venice with Beatrice di Tenda, and she has since staged new productions at major theaters and opera houses throughout Europe, Asia, Australia, Russia, and the U.S. She has worked at over 50 international opera houses, including the Metropolitan Opera, La Scala, Paris Opera, Bolshoi, Munich State Opera, Covent Garden, and Opera Australia. Her theatrical work has been showcased on Broadway, in regional theaters, and across European stages.
Inducted in 2018 as a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, she has been honored as a Chevalier des Arts et des Lettres by the French government, recognized as a Knight in the Order of the Star of Italy, and awarded the Russian Federation’s Arts Medal for her contributions to culture. Other accolades include three Olivier Awards from the London Society of Theatres and two Evening Standard Awards, and she has been honored twice with the French Grand Prix des Critiques for her work at the Paris Opera. Additionally, she received the Medallion Society Award from San Francisco Opera, celebrating her 30 years of service to the company, including directing the Ring Cycle in 2011 and 2018.
At the WNO, she has directed over 30 productions, including Of Mice and Men (debut in 2001), Fidelio, Billy Budd, Porgy and Bess, Salome, Show Boat, The Force of Destiny, the world premiere children’s opera The Lion, the Unicorn, and Me, Florencia in the Amazon, The Little Prince, Dialogues of the Carmelites, Dead Man Walking, Aida, Fidelio, The Jungle Book, and Candide. In the spring of 2016, she also directed WNO’s first-ever complete Ring Cycle. A hallmark of Zambello’s creative leadership is her collaboration with outstanding artists and designers and her promotion of emerging talent, while championing women and diversity among her artistic and production personnel. She takes a special interest in new music-theater works, innovative productions, and producing theater and opera for wider audiences.
She is married to Faith Gay, an attorney and founding partner of Selendy & Gay, LLC. They have one son, Jackson, and live in Washington, DC, NYC and Cooperstown, NY.
