As a recent graduate of of the Orchestra Academy of the Berlin Philharmonic, Francesco performed regularly as a substitute with the orchestra for the past two years. The first American flutist to be admitted to the program, he received training from Andreas Blau and Jelka Weber. Immediately after his time in the academy, he was engaged as associate principal flute of the Staatstheater Kassel on a temporary contract.
In recent seasons, he has additionally performed as guest principal flute with other orchestras such as: Gürzenich Orchester Köln, Rotterdam Philharmonic, Seattle Symphony, Norwegian Radio Orchestra, Kammersymphonie Berlin and the NDR Elbphilharmonie Orchester.
This year marks his first summer performing at the Marlboro Music Festival in Marlboro, Vermont after having been a member of the Verbier Festival Orchestra and Tanglewood Music Center Orchestra in recent summers. Other appearances have included performances at the Zermatt, Aldeburgh and Sarasota music festivals. During the 2010-11 season, Francesco was acting second flutist of the Boise Philharmonic in Boise, Idaho.
With the support of a Fulbright Grant and a scholarship from the Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst, Francesco completed his Master of Music degree from the Hochschule für Musik "Hanns Eisler" Berlin under the tutelage of Benoit Fromanger, and he is currently pursuing another master's degree with Robert Lerch at the Universität der Künste Berlin. In 2012, he completed his Bachelor of Music degree with Jim Walker at The Colburn School Conservatory of Music in Los Angeles. During his time in California, he was also a member of the YMF Debut Orchestra and the American Youth Symphony.
The winner of the 2012 US Army Band "Pershing's Own" Collegiate Concerto Competition, Francesco performed as a soloist with the ensemble in front of the US Capitol Building. Additional concerto performances have included concerts with the Downey Symphony Orchestra, Sarasota Music Festival Orchestra and the Jugendbarockorchester Michaelstein. Additional chamber music performances in Berlin have included regular appearances with Die 14 Berliner Flötisten and being a guest performer with Ensemble Berlin.
Francesco is currently a member/scholarship recipient of both Villa Musica and the "Yehudi Menuhin Live Music Now e.V." Berlin.
