aster works internationally as an opera consultant and free-lance stage director. she has produced verdi's "falstaff" in los angeles, "otello" with plácido domingo in los angeles and houston (after which domingo invited her to direct this opera in puerto rico). her staging of "tristan und isolde", designed by david hockney, at the maggio musicale in florence won the 1990 international critics prize. other international engagements include the european premiere of sir michael tippett's "new year" at glyndebourne and a revival of "katya kabanova" in paris. she produced "salome" at the lyric opera chicago, washington opera, san francisco opera, detroit, the royal opera house covent garden, and the hong kong festival. aster produced "the marriage of figaro" in new zealand, later directing "la bohème" and "les contes de hoffmann".