Born in the U.S. but raised in Europe, Francesca speaks five languages – English, French, Italian, German, and Russian. In 1976, she attended Moscow University and graduated from Colgate University in 1978, where she also holds an honorary doctorate degree. Highly respected and revered, she served as an adjunct professor at Yale University, a guest lecturer at Harvard University, and The Juilliard School, as well as an assistant director to the late Jean-Pierre Ponnelle. She has also led various non-profit opera and theater companies. Providing her unwavering vision and creative expertise, Francesca collaborates with performers and musicians, designers and stylists, technician crews, stagehands, unions, donors, and audiences to fundraise for the opera and theater industry.

Deeply connected to her roots, Francesca came from a family of performers and musicians and grew up knowing that this was her calling too. With decades of her life devoted to the arts, Francesca believes that opera is for everyone. Her passion, commitment, and undeniable expertise continues to fuel her mission of creating opera and theater that deeply inspires, connects, and unifies audiences around the world.

Francesca lives between Cooperstown, New York City, and the D.C. with her wife, Faith E Gay, founding partner of Selendy & Gay. Together, they have a 13-year-old son Jackson, who is a dedicated student at the Dalton School in New York City. The family are all dog lovers with two loving pups by the names of Rome and Rex.

SEPTEMBER 2025