Later in 1981, Rescigno said yes to succeeding stage director David Hicks as Gage's artistic advisor, and he served in that capacity for 38 seasons, through three general directors: Gage, Dennis Hanthorn, and William Florescu."Opera director needs steady vision" by Tom Strini, "Milwaukee Journal Sentinel", January 9, 2005, Page 4 E.</ref> And throughout this time, in the pit, he conducted the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra, which he considers the foundation that allowed the company to think big. "Few opera have an orchestra such as the MSO to work with," he has been quoted as saying.