Rosetta Cucchi is a successful international stage director and the artistic director of Wexford Opera Festival.

OperaWire: What was the first opera you attended?

Rosetta Cucchi: “Il Barbiere di Siviglia” by Rossini

OW: What was the first opera you directed?

RC: “La Scala di Seta” by Rossini

OW: What is the next opera you are scheduled to direct?

RC: “Adriana Lecouvreur” by Cilea at Sydney Opera

OW: What is your favorite opera?

RC: “La Traviata” by Verdi

OW: Of all the characters that you have directed, which is most like you?

RC: Don Giovanni

OW: Which opera would you love to direct, but so far have not managed to?

RC: “Kata’a Kabanova” by Janacek

OW: If you could sit down to dinner with three characters, who would they be?

RC: Joan of Arc, Don Giovanni & Prince Gremin

OW: Which character whom you have directed do you find the most dislikable?

RC: Leporello

OW: If you could exchange your life with that of any character, who would it be?

RC: Don Quichotte

OW: What is your favorite piece of non-operatic music?

RC: Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 6, Rachmaninov’s Piano Concerto No. 2

OW:Who is your favorite director?

RC: Robert Carsen

OW: If you weren’t a director, what job would you have liked to do?

RC: Pianist

OW: Do you prefer directing serious or comedy opera?

RC: Serious

OW: If you could have any composer write an opera for you to direct, who would it be?

RC: Verdi

OW: What do you like most about your job?

RC: The creativity

OW: You are an Italian who has spent a lot of time in Ireland, name something you prefer about Ireland.

RC: The people’s sense of humor.

OW: What are you reading at the moment?

RC: It is a book which hasn’t a title yet by Luigi Ferrari

OW: Who is your favorite painter?

RC: Kadinsky

OW: What is your favorite film?

RC: “Pretty Woman”

OW: In which opera house would you most like to direct an opera, but as yet have not had the opportunity?

RC: Covent Garden