Life is about taking chances—and for Elio Bucky, stepping into the director’s chair was one of the biggest leaps of all. Now, they bring that boldness to the stage as revival director for this summer’s Rigoletto at Cincinnati Opera. It’s not Bucky’s debut with the company; it’s also a fresh reimagining of a production that first originated at Atlanta Opera nearly a decade ago.
So, what’s different about this version of Rigoletto?
Elio Bucky, Revival Director of Rigoletto
For Bucky, it’s all about diving into the psychological depth of the opera. “I think of it as a psychological thriller,” they explain. While staying true to the core of the original staging, this revival leans into the paranoia, grief, and inner turmoil that haunts Rigoletto after a curse is cast upon him. This curse is meant to condemn Rigoletto to suffer the same sorrow and loss that has been inflicted onto others and what it feels like to live through it.
“My job is to preserve the original ideas,” Bucky says. “Rigoletto is one of the top 20 operas”, and due to its popularity, any changes spark opinions. Still, the most important thing at large is keeping the original foundation there while telling the story.
As revival director, Bucky’s role is both interpretive and collaborative—guiding a new cast through the emotional and dramatic weight of the opera while honoring the intent of the original creative team. It’s a delicate balance of fidelity and reinvention, and one they’ve approached with care and insight.
The most exciting part? A few of the principal singers are also making their role debut, so its an exciting first journey for everyone.
Rigoletto is a harsh story, but beneath it all lies a beautiful and heart-wrenching relationship. “There’s a deep father-daughter relationship at the heart of it,” they note, pointing out how this reflects aspects of Verdi’s own life and grief. For Bucky, it's these layers of intimacy and vulnerability that make the opera so timeless. Of course, directing a revival of such a well-known opera comes with its own challenges. And yet, despite its age, the themes remain strikingly relevant today.
When Bucky is not directing, , they’ve enjoyed exploring all things Cincinnati and Cincinnati Opera. “It’s such a lovely culture,” Bucky says. They’ve especially enjoyed discovering Over-the-Rhine and its vibrant food scene between rehearsals.
They encourage audiences to look for the details—like the costumes, some of which were designed in Hungary and are making their debut this week as well. “Keep an eye on the duchess,” Bucky says. “The design work is absolutely stunning.”
After Rigoletto, Bucky will return to their home city of San Francisco later this summer—to the very opera house where the journey first began. “Coming back to where I started, now as a director—it’s a full circle moment.”
And for audiences here in Cincinnati, it’s a chance to experience Rigoletto through a new lens: one that’s introspective, intense, and profoundly moving. If you can, come more than once and see how many details you can spot while seated in Music Hall.