I listen to music every day for study reasons, and I confess that I have very little knowledge of what is going on in the hit parades around the world. I have no prejudices for any kind of music genre, and I listen with pleasure to many songs on the radio that my children already know of by heart, while I hear them practically for the first time.

Singing provides a true sense of lightheartedness. If I sing when I am alone, I feel wonderful. It's freedom.

I am not only fighting against something, I am fighting for something - and I am for life.

I have always felt an excellent rapport ever since my very first concert in Britain at Hampton Court. I have always felt understood. The British understand opera very well.

When I was very young, I started trying to sing like the great tenor Mario Lanza; my family used to play his records. We all learn best by imitating others.

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

I have always tried to perform the music I love, and I think I am lucky because my preferences are often the ones of the public.