An internationally recognized director of opera and theater, Francesca Zambello’s work has been seen around the world. Ms. Zambello serves as Artistic & General Director of The Glimmerglass Festival and Artistic Director of Washington National Opera, where she has begun major commissioning programs for new works that have resulted in productions of many large and small-scaled new works. In addition to receiving the San Francisco Opera Medal for Artistic Excellence and serving as Artistic Advisor from 2006-2011, Ms. Zambello has 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. The French Grand Prix des Critiques was awarded Ms. Zambello 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. Ms. Zambello has been a guest lecturer at Harvard University, The Juilliard School, and Yale University. An American who grew up in Europe, she speaks French, Italian, German, and Russian. Ms. Zambello is a graduate of Colgate University in Hamilton, New York.