When Graf subsequently became artistic director of the Zurich Opera, he offered Mansouri the position of resident stage director, which he accepted in 1960, even though it meant turning down the job of house director for the Metropolitan Opera. During his first year in Zurich, Mansouri staged four new productions: Amahl and the Night Visitors (first European production), La Traviata, Don Pasquale and Samson et Dalila. He worked at Zurich Opera until 1966. He had begun to work simultaneously at Geneva Opera in 1965 and became head stage director there in 1966, remaining in that position until 1976.