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.
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 is: To be true to yourself and never try to be something you’re not; have the responsibility to become a master of yourself; have a pair or of ears and eyes outside you that control what you do, and become the best critic of your own work and just follow your path.
The advice I have for first-time operagoers is to: To choose wisely the opera you are going to attend. I would recommend La Traviata or La Bohème. Italian repertoire is ideal to start, even Tosca or Il Barbiere di Siviglia. Hansel and Gretel or The Magic Flute in German repertoire, Carmen in French repertoire, or Eugene Onegin in Russian repertoire. They are all masterpieces and are considered to be blockbusters, but there is a reason why. This is because they’re very immediate and they speak directly to your ears and your heart. From then on, opera becomes a drug and you become addicted to it.
Get the most out of an opera by: Get the most out of an opera by reading the libretto before attending. Also, just a little bit of preparation before attending the opera. Nowadays, it’s possible to follow the libretto live with the little screens in front of your seat. It’s still better to know the story before you attend and at least know what the story highlights in every act and musical highlights are so you know when to applaud and when to enjoy the best moments of the evening.
The restaurant I love most near the MET is: Café Fiorello! It’s Italian cuisine, and there are a lot of excellent vegetarian dishes, and many familiar faces, including singers and conductors from the Met. I’d also say shopping at Whole Foods in Columbus Circle since I enjoy cooking at home as well.
The morning after a big performance, I: I sleep until at least 10:00 or 11:00 in the morning. I then try to study another musical score or just take a walk in Central Park.
My preferred way to destress is to: Play with eighteen-month-old daughter and go to the playground or on long walks around the parks in the city.
The destination I love to travel to most for work is: I love to travel around the world for work but New York, is of course a favorite. Staying in Manhattan is always an intense period but you feel like you’re in the center of the universe, full of good energy. It makes you feel extremely alive: New York. Manhattan. Lincoln Center.
My favorite spot in my hometown is:
My favorite spot in my hometown, which is Milan in Italy, is La Scala, of course. I’m an opera boy, so, definitely Teatro alla Scala!