Biography
Gian Franco Corsi Zeffirelli KBE, Grande Ufficiale OMRI (12 February 1923 – 15 June 2019), commonly known as Franco Zeffirelli (Italian pronunciation: [ˈfraŋko dzeffiˈrɛlli]), was an Italian director and producer of operas, films and television. He was also a senator from 1994 until 2001 for the Italian centre-right Forza Italia party. Some of his operatic designs and productions have become worldwide classics. He was also known for several of the movies he directed, especially the 1968 version of Romeo and Juliet, for which he received an Academy Award nomination. His 1967 version of The Taming of the Shrew with Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton remains the best-known film adaptation of that play as well. His miniseries Jesus of Nazareth (1977) won both national and international acclaim and is still frequently shown on Christmas and Easter in many countries. A Grande Ufficiale OMRI of the Italian Republic since 1977, Zeffirelli also received an honorary British knighthood in 2004 when he was created a KBE. He was awarded the Premio Colosseo in 2009 by the city of Rome.
Directed 63
2020s
- 2025
The Metropolitan Opera: La Bohème
Stage Director, Director
- 2022
Georges Bizet: Carmen
Director
Turandot
Director
The Metropolitan Opera: Turandot
Director
- 2020
Arena di Verona: Il Trovatore
Director
2010s
- 2019
La Bohème - Wiener Staatsoper
Director
The Metropolitan Opera: Turandot
Director
La Traviata - Arena di Verona
Director
- 2018
The Metropolitan Opera: La Bohème
Director
- 2017
Zeffirelli's Inferno
Director
- 2015
Don Giovanni
Director
- 2014
Carmen (Arena di Verona)
Director
- 2011
Turandot - Puccini - Live from Verona
Director
- 2010
Carmen
Director
2000s
- 2008
Puccini: La Bohème
Director, Stage Director
- 2006
Verdi: Aida
Director
- 2004
La Boheme
Director
Madama Butterfly
Director
- 2003
Bizet: Carmen
Stage Director
- 2002
Callas Forever
Director
La Traviata
Director
- 2001
Aida
Director
- 2000
Don Giovanni
Director
1990s
- 1999
Tea with Mussolini
Director
- 1997
Carmen
Director
- 1996
- 1994
Sparrow
Director
- 1993
Falstaff
Director
- 1992
Don Carlo
Director
- 1991
The King of Ads
Director
- 1990
1980s
- 1989
12 Directors for 12 Cities
Director
- 1988
Young Toscanini
Director
- 1987
Pagliacci
Director
Turandot
Director
- 1986
- 1985
Tosca
Director
- 1982
La traviata
Director
Cavalleria rusticana
Director
Puccini: La bohème
Director
- 1981
1970s
- 1979
La Bohème
Director
- 1978
Carmen
Director
Otello - The Met
Director
Cavalleria Rusticana/Pagliacci
Director
- 1977
Lorenzaccio
Stage Director
- 1976
Verdi: Otello
Stage Director
- 1972
Brother Sun, Sister Moon
Director
1960s
- 1968
- 1967
Much Ado About Nothing
Stage Director
- 1966
For Florence
Director
- 1965
- 1964
Maria Callas Sings Tosca, Act II
Director
- 1962
Maria Callas: At Covent Garden, 1962 and 1964
Stage Director
1950s
- 1958
Camping
Director
- 1955
- 1954
- 1953
Empty Eyes
First Assistant Director
- 1952
Bellissima
Assistant Director
1940s
- 1949
Wrote 14
2010s
- 2017
Zeffirelli's Inferno
Writer
2000s
- 2002
Callas Forever
Screenplay, Original Story
1990s
- 1999
Tea with Mussolini
Novel
- 1996
- 1994
Sparrow
Screenplay
- 1990
1980s
- 1988
Young Toscanini
Original Story
- 1986
- 1982
La traviata
Adaptation
1970s
- 1977
- 1972
Brother Sun, Sister Moon
Screenplay
1960s
- 1968
- 1967
1950s
- 1958
Camping
Screenplay
Art department 14
2020s
- 2020
Arena di Verona: Il Trovatore
Set Designer
2010s
- 2019
The Metropolitan Opera: Turandot
Set Designer, Production Design
- 2018
The Metropolitan Opera: La Bohème
Production Design, Set Designer
- 2014
The Metropolitan Opera: La Bohème
Production Design
2000s
- 2009
Puccini: Turandot
Production Design
- 2000
Don Giovanni
Production Design
1990s
- 1993
Falstaff
Production Design, Set Designer
1980s
- 1987
Turandot
Production Design
- 1986
- 1985
Tosca
Set Designer
- 1982
La traviata
Production Design
Puccini: La bohème
Production Design, Set Designer
1970s
- 1979
La Bohème
Production Design
Acted in 3
1980s
- 1985
Television
TV
1940s
- 1947
Produced 1
1960s
- 1967
Lighting 1
1960s
- 1964
Maria Callas Sings Tosca, Act II
Lighting Supervisor
Sound 1
1960s
- 1962
Maria Callas: At Covent Garden, 1962 and 1964
Music Director
Costume and makeup 1
1970s
- 1972
Who's Afraid of Opera?
Costume Designer
Created 1
1970s
- 1977
Appearances25
2020s
- 2026
Piero Bargellini - il sindaco dell'alluvione
Himself (Archive footage)
- 2023
- 2022
Franco Zeffirelli: Rebel Conformist
Self
2010s
- 2017
The Opera House
Self (archive footage)
- 2014
- 2011
Discovering Hamlet
Self
2000s
- 2007
Callas Assoluta
Self (archive footage)
- 2006
Sartoria Tirelli - Vestire il cinema
Self
- 2004
Maria Callas: Living and Dying for Art and Love
Self
- 2002
Luchino Visconti
Self
1990s
- 1998
- 1994
A Magic Friend: The Maestro Nino Rota
Self
1980s
- 1980
My Name Is Anna Magnani
Self
1970s
- 1978
Callas: A Documentary
Narrator
- 1975
- 1974
- 1973
Pulcinella - Ieri e oggi
Self - Documentary host
- 1972
1960s
- 1967
Our World
Self
- 1966
The New Met: Countdown to Curtain
Self
- 1961
Tempo
Self · 1 episode