Frederic Hand: Conductors respect the music first and foremost. When the score calls for a guitar, they are just as demanding of the guitarist as they are with any other instrument. Of course, a guitar playing with the orchestra is a novelty, but I've always been treated very respectfully.

There is a lot of good-natured kidding from fellow musicians. Very often the guitar part requires playing in only one or two arias. After that, I discretely leave the pit. As I'm walking past them, usually someone will say "you mean you not staying for the third act?" I usually respond: "There's a third act?"

Frederic Hand has been the official guitarist for the Metropolitan Opera in New York City for over 20 years.