About

Francesca Sgariboldi is an Italian set designer active in both the theatrical and academic spheres, known for her approach to scenography that blends profound aesthetic research with a refined dramaturgical vision. Her work brings theatrical spaces to life, enhancing the narrative dimension of performances. Her artistic and technical sensitivity has enabled her to collaborate with prestigious companies and earn significant accolades, establishing herself as a key figure in the Italian and international theater scene.

After earning her diploma from the Istituto Statale d’Arte in Monza, she pursued studies in graphic design and visual communication at the CFP Bauer in Milan, while simultaneously working as a graphic designer in the advertising and exhibition design sectors. She later attended the Accademia di Belle Arti di Brera, specializing in theatrical scenography.

A fundamental element of her work is her ability to combine tradition and innovation: she uses contemporary materials and techniques to reinterpret the classical languages of theater, creating stage designs that harmonize with the directorial and choreographic needs of each production.

Throughout her career, she has collaborated with renowned directors and choreographers such as A. De Rosa, M. Popolizio, F. Tiezzi, F. R. Alesi, L. Baracchini, R. Catalano, S. Ricci, F. Micheli, M. Avogadro, L. Lidi, D. Rampello, M. Martinelli, E. Montanari, A. Bolognino, M. M. Graziano, F. Dini, and V. Binasco, as well as set designers including N. Bovey, A. Colombo, E. Sinisi, M. Rossi, A. Camera, and E. Sanchi. She has created scenography for prestigious Italian and international theaters, including Teatro alla Scala, the Royal Opera House in Muscat, Ópera de Tenerife, Teatro dell’Opera di Roma, Teatro Greco di Siracusa, The Stuttgart Ballet, Piccolo Teatro di Milano, Teatro Stabile di Torino, Teatro Regio di Parma, the Croatian National Theatre Ivan de Zajc in Rijeka, Teatro Goldoni in Venice, Teatro Verdi in Padua, Teatro Stabile di Bolzano, Teatro Sociale di Como, Teatro Donizetti in Bergamo, Teatro Fraschini in Pavia, Teatro Grande in Brescia, Teatro Ponchielli in Cremona, Teatro Argentina in Rome, Teatro del Vascello in Rome, Teatro Comunale in Piacenza, and Teatro Verdi in Busseto.

In addition to her artistic career, Francesca Sgariboldi is highly regarded for her dedication to training the next generation of set designers. As an educator, she is recognized for her teaching method, which fosters individual creativity and attention to detail, helping to shape highly skilled professionals.

In 2022, she won the international opera competition Opera Lombardia | Coproduzione Circuito Marchigiano for a new theatrical production of La Traviata by Giuseppe Verdi. That same year, she was a finalist for the Technical Direction selection at Teatro alla Scala in Milan.

From the academic year 2021/22 to 2023/24, she served as a professor of Scenography at the Accademia di Belle Arti in Carrara. In 2023, she was appointed as an expert consultant for scenography and costumes at the Civica Scuola di Teatro Paolo Grassi in Milan. Starting from the academic year 2024/25, she holds the position of Scenography professor at the Accademia di Belle Arti in Bari and teaches Stage Technology at the Accademia Ligustica di Belle Arti in Genoa.

Among her most recent works are La Traviata at Teatro A. Ponchielli in Cremona, directed by Luca Baracchini, and Creations XIII – XV Sospesi at the Stuttgart Ballet, with choreography by Vittoria Girelli. Additionally, she designed the sets for L’Albergo dei Poveri at Teatro Argentina in Rome, directed by Massimo Popolizio, a production that won the 2024 Premio Maschere del Teatro Italiano for Best Scenography.

In 2024, she was awarded Best Set Designer at the XXI Edition of the Premio Maschere del Teatro Italiano for her work on L’Albergo dei Poveri, directed by Massimo Popolizio.

Also in 2024, she won the GRADUS competition, earning the opportunity to design the sets for a new contemporary production.

For the 2024/2025 season, her participation in several productions has been announced, including Rigoletto at Teatro Fraschini in Pavia, directed by Matteo Marziano Graziano; La Moglie Saggia at Teatro Ivan Zajc in Rijeka, Croatia, directed by Giorgio Sangati; Prima del Temporale at Teatro Caio Melisso as part of the Festival dei Due Mondi in Spoleto; and L’Ultimo Sorriso at the Reggio Parma Festival Verdi 2025.

Her eclectic education and experiences across various artistic fields have enabled her to develop an innovative and versatile approach to scenography, making a significant contribution to the contemporary theater landscape.

Sgariboldi represents one of the most compelling voices in contemporary theater, consistently able to captivate audiences with stage designs that both move and inspire.

SOME OF MY PROJECTS

LE NOZZE DI FIGARO

TEATRO DEL MAGGIO MUSICALE FIORENTINO

VIVERE È SUPERARE SE STESSI . I CENCI

ANTONIN ARTAUD

MARGHERITA DELLA PARETE CALVA

FESTIVAL ASTI 2019

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