A country that has really resonated with me and I was really impressed with was Israel. I found that the whole country had a very special atmosphere. I was there to perform, but it was one of the few places that I've visited over the years that I had some free time to explore, and I was hugely impressed by all the religious history there.

In singing, you cannot 'cheat' if you want to give emotions to those who are listening. You must have something to tell.

A career is like a house: it's made of many bricks, and each brick has the same value, because without any one of them, the house would collapse.

In essence, I set myself the objective of doing what I feel is right without having any ambition.

The most widely criticised singers in the history of opera, Maria Callas and Franco Corelli, happen also to be the best singers. I am honoured for being part of their group.

I loved riding bikes and horses. I was eight when I started having lessons, and when my father bought me my own horse I couldn't wait to go off on my own.

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