Yes, Zeffirelli of course, also Richard Eyre, David McVicar, Paul Curran, Michael Mayer, … I used to direct stage plays, and my philosophy was it is the director’s job to present the author’s vision using the resources available.

I agree, when it works it’s beautiful. I’ve seen 3 shows (a Verdi, another Verdi, and a Handel) at the Met where a character snorted cocaine on stage and I have to say I was repulsed. That’s going too far.