By age 13, both had decided they wanted to direct opera.

And he has directed opera before, though never for the august Met.

And in the meantime he is hoping for a chance to direct opera.

He has directed plays and operas in most major American cities.

After taking a break from film to direct opera, Russell found financing with various independent companies.

There he was appointed in 1773 director of the court music, and assigned also to direct Italian opera.

In 1973 he began directing opera, even though he does not read music.

He retired from the opera stage in the late 1970s but continued to direct operas through 1983.

"The director was a theater person who had never directed opera, and we did only character work for three or four days," the tenor says.

The profession of directing opera is a curious one, far from an exact science.