Met Opera’s Andrea Chénier Conductor Daniele Rustioni Talks Travel And Opera
Article by Shivani Vora from Forbes
Maestro Daniele Rustioni, the Met’s Principal Guest Conductor will take the podium on Saturday, December 13 to conduct the Live in HD performance of Andrea Chénier, streaming to cinemas around the world at 1:00PM ET. The Giordano opera stars soprano Sonya Yoncheva and tenor Piotr Beczała.
Rustioni, in his position that was announced in November of 2024, will conduct a minimum of two operas per season.
Hailing from Milan, Italy, Rustioni has been the music director of the Ulster Orchestra in the UK, the first-ever principal guest conductor of the Bavarian State Opera, and in Lyon, where he served as music director of the Opéra National de Lyon.
Rustioni has been awarded “Best Conductor” by the International Opera Awards. This season at the Met, his lineup includes Don Giovanni, La Bohème, and Andrea Chénier.
I sat down with the talented Maestro to discuss his favorite kind of operagoer, his go-to food spots by Lincoln Center, and more.
Daniele Rustoni in rehearsal.
Jonathan Tichler / Met Opera
My favorite opera that's not my own is: My favorite opera is Verdi’s “Otello.” This masterpiece is the culmination of Verdi’s very long career. It’s dramatic and powerful with massive choral sections which match the powerful drama of Shakespeare’s play. It’s a perfect combination of words, music and drama.
My pre-performance ritual: My pre-performance ritual is a little bit of meditation and breathing to bring down the heart rate. I need to feel my body because my work, as a conductor, is of course done with my arms and my body. My body is my instrument, so I need to be in control of my body and not let tension get in the way. I need a clean relation between my mind, my heart and my arms before a performance.
After a performance, I: After a performance I calm down by collapsing on the sofa in the dressing room where I take my time, change and drink a lot of still water. At this point, I'm just grateful that I made music.
My favorite kind of operagoer (does what): My favorite kind of operagoer is one who keeps their mind and heart open to new interpretations. There are operagoers who go to the opera with their favorite interpretation and recording in mind. However, it's impossible to get that in a live performance with different singers and in a different opera house. Therefore, my favorite operagoer is the one who has the capacity to be open to new sounds and ideas, and a fresh interpretation that only comes from the live in-person performance.
My role model in business is: My role model in business is an artist or a musician who keeps studying and working to serve the music, and only the music, and nothing else, especially not his or her own ego.
The best piece of career advice I've gotten: …
