CÉLINE RICCI

Céline Ricci is a Show Director with a history of conceiving, creating, and directing captivating live shows across various mediums, including opera, musicals, fairs, concerts, and public arts initiatives. With more than a decade of experience, she has garnered acclaim for her work with renowned organizations in the San Francisco Bay area. She recently directed Vivaldi’s Juditha Triumphans for the San Francisco Girls Chorus and By Georges! for The Lamplighters, Dido & Aeneas and La Voix Humaine for Festival Opera, gaining critical acclaim.

As the Funder and Executive/Artistic Director of Ars Minerva, a nonprofit dedicated to reviving forgotten music from the 17th and 18th centuries, Céline has curated a unique collection of overlooked musical treasures based on meticulous musicological research. Through her visionary leadership, she has directed and produced multiple staged productions, including La Cleopatra - 1662, The Amazons in the Fortunate Isles -1679, La Circe – 1665, Ifigenia in Aulide – 1738, Ermelinda -1680, Messalina -1679, Astianatte – 1725, Olimpia Vendicata – 1682, and La Flora - 1681. In November 2025, Céline will direct a Ercole Amante for Ars Minerva, an opera composed by Antonia Bembo, at ODC Theater.

Currently serving as the Program Director at 836M in San Francisco, Céline spearheads multidisciplinary arts programs, including artist residencies, exhibitions, dance performances, concerts, and talks. Noteworthy achievements include organizing well attended concerts in Golden Gate Park featuring esteemed acts such as Kronos Quartet and L'impératrice.

Additionally, Céline has made significant contributions as a Project Lead at ACED,
managing public arts projects and establishing valuable partnerships with private and public organizations. Notable achievements include overseeing a large-scale mural in Downtown San Francisco and organizing the first Jackson Square Arts Day, a street fair showcasing multiple artists. Her efforts have been recognized with the SF Downtown Partnership Impact Award.

Moreover, Céline had an accomplished opera singing career with extensive experience and recognized talent. She performed in prestigious theaters worldwide, including Walt Disney Concert Hall, Lincoln Center, Mariinsky Theater, Opéra Comique, Musikverein, Berlin Staatsoper, Teatro Conlon Buenos Aires, and Sydney Festival. She recorded albums distributed by Harmonia Mundi and Naxos, and she was the recipient of prestigious awards such as the Golden Orpheus and Diamant d'Opéra, among others.