Franco Gentilesca

Franco Gentilesca (30 May 1943 - 6 September 2001) was an American stage director who was particularly active in staging operas.

Life and career Born in Brooklyn, Gentilesca was educated at St. John's University and Pace University. After having worked as a stage manager for the Philadelphia Lyric Opera Company, he made his professional directorial debut in 1973 with the Philadelphia Grand Opera Company; staging a production of Umberto Giordano's Andrea Chénier with Richard Tucker in the title role and Gilda Cruz-Romo as Maddalena. He directed two more PGOC productions the following year, and later staged several other productions in Philadelphia and New York City with Opera Ebony during the late 1970s and 1980s.