To sing opera, one needs two things: the voice and the passion - and above all, the passion.

What is beautiful enchants me. I mean not just physical beauty but a wider concept of beauty. There is beauty in poetry and in great musical or singing performances. There is beauty everywhere if you can just see it.

To sing a song is like whispering to a child's ear. It is an art heavily relying on improvisation.

I loved playing football. In this particular match the ball happened to hit my right eye, the only one which I could see light and colour with.

I am a product of my native land, Tuscany, Italy.

Listen to what others tell you about your voice. If you're only singing to please yourself, you might as well just sing under the shower. But if you're singing for others, you are reliant on them to ask you to sing.

Destiny has a lot to do with it, but so do you. You have to persevere, you have to insist.