When MTV isn't enough'

Published on November 23, 2007

Commonwealth Opera's artistic director, Ron Luchsinger, says the opera, "Rigoletto," has plenty to offer young people - including iPod-toting teens.

"Even if a kid has an iPod, he can feel quite at home in this milieu in which music is surrounding you," Luchsinger said.

"To attract a younger audience, you don't play down to them," he added. "What happens when they discover opera is, it hits them between their eyes. You've got so much visual stimulation ... you surrender yourself to it," he said. "Opera is what you go to when MTV isn't enough anymore."

Besides, he adds, "Rigoletto" offers up many of the same themes seen on some very popular TV shows. After all, he says, the opera is largely about the struggle between a parent and a child.

"Gilda doesn't know who she is and the search for her identity is totally misunderstood by her father ... he's interested in protecting her from the outside world," Luchsinger said. Then, when Gilda is seduced, or raped, she becomes "damaged goods" in her father's eyes, he says.

"She's no longer precious, she's no longer perfect," Luchsinger said. "It's not much different than 'The Sopranos.' "

- KATHLEEN MELLEN