Intrigue, revenge, murder and an opera company on the move

By Kathleen Mellen
Staff Writer

Published on November 23, 2007

Ron Luchsinger is in only his second season as artistic director of Commonwealth Opera, based in Florence, but he already has a long-range vision for the company: Get even bigger; get even better.

To that end, this year he has taken the helm of a production of Giuseppe Verdi's "Rigoletto," the first in a trilogy of masterpieces written by Verdi between 1851 and 1853 that include "La Traviata" and "Il Trovetore."

Based on the Victor Hugo play, "The King Amuses Himself," the 16th-century Italian tale (set for this production in pre-World War I Italy) about a court jester, Rigoletto, his daughter and the Duke who deflowers her, is replete with intrigue, revenge and murder, and has some of the most readily-recognizable music in opera, Luchsinger says. That is probably because it is one of the most popular operas ever produced, ranking ninth on the list of those most-performed in North America, according to Opera America, a national service organization for opera, based in New York City.

Although this production is a first for Commonwealth Opera, Luchsinger staged "Rigoletto" once before, at Opera North in Lebanon, N.H., to audience and critical acclaim. It's perhaps the perfect project for the man who has big ideas for the company that, he says, is on the verge of establishing a much broader reputation.

"This was a local company for a long time. People viewed it as a local phenomenon; I'd like to go beyond that," said Luchsinger, who commutes for rehearsals to Northampton from his home in New Hampshire. "I want to get to the point where we are recognized nationally as a place where young singers can perform."

Transition pains

Founded over 30 years ago by Northampton resident Richard Rescia, the group went through some transition pains after Rescia retired in 2004. Alan W. Schneider, the first artistic director hired by the company's board of directors to follow Rescia, lasted only a short while, citing a busy schedule elsewhere and too much time on the road as his reasons for leaving. Luchsinger and others were asked then to sign on for short stints as guest directors for the next operas and musical theater productions. In addition, Rescia was forced, temporarily, out of his fledgling retirement to take the helm of a production of the musical comedy "Kiss Me Kate."

"It's hard to follow the founder," Luchsinger said in a recent interview at a coffee shop in Florence, just across the way from the Florence Community Center, which houses the Commonwealth Opera administrative offices. "People don't like change."

But, the company couldn't keep up that arrangement for long and still survive, Luchsinger says. A full time director was needed.

"Guest artists are different," he explained. "An artistic director is a year-round position. They shape the destiny of the company." Indeed, he has already decided on his cast for principal roles for next year's planned production of "Madame Butterfly," that will be performed in honor of Giacomo Puccini's 150th birthday.

"In the opera business, to do it right, you have to cast one year in advance," Luchsinger said. "Every artistic director has preferences for the type of voices they're looking for; have their favorite artists. When you find the right person, you want to be able to be sure that you have them."

Indeed, the choice to produce "Rigoletto," he says, was largely predicated on the availability of Tom O'Toole who will sing the title role.

O'Toole, who lives in South Hadley, had already been studying the role, even before being cast by Luchsinger. He's also moving into roles with bigger and bigger companies, Luchsinger says. Recently, O'Toole performed with Opera Boston, Boston Lyric Opera and Sarasota Opera, among others. "This will probably be the last time we get to use him," Luchsinger said. "I hope so for his sake."

But he says he fully expects that others who are also on the verge of "great careers" will continue to appear on stage with the local company - including Laura Choi Stuart of Washington, D.C., who plays Rigoletto's daughter, Gilda. Stuart, who has been called "a lyric soprano of ravishing quality," by the Boston Globe, is making her Commonwealth Opera debut.

"Commonwealth Opera has carved out a niche as a wonderful place for young singers to get experience, to try out new roles," Luchsinger said. "Sometimes, singers adopt you. And, if it's a role they crave, "They may forget their normal fee."

As more and more young professionals are attracted to Commonwealth Opera, Luchsinger says, so too are their growing legions of fans who follow their favorite singers from venue to venut to watch them perform. "They like to be able to say ... I knew her when."

Kathleen Mellen can be reached at kmellen@gazettenet.com.

"Rigoletto" will be performed in Italian with the English translation projected above the stage. Shows are Nov. 28 and 30 at 8 p.m., and Dec. 2 at 2 p.m., at the Academy of Music in Northampton. Tickets cost $39, $30 and $20 (special Artistic Directors seats, available for $50, include a champagne reception after each show). Group rates, for groups of 10 or more, are available for Nov. 28 and 30 shows only. For reservations, call 587-0067. For information, visit www.commonwealthopera.org.