In silent movies, they tended to put the camera down, and everybody walked in front of it and acted, and then they all walked off. Cutting was quite infrequent.

In my view, the operas of Carlisle Floyd will find a place in the permanent repertoire.

The music of the most popular operas is so highly esteemed, it can stand endless revivals.

It's not enough to hit the notes. There is no point in the singers just standing there and sounding wonderful if they're not connecting with the characters they are portraying.

I'd really been interested in opera when I was about 16, and I really like staging them.

In opera, everyone's watching from a fixed viewpoint, and that really challenges you. Lighting, the sets, stage groupings, the music-but doesn't relate too much to film.

With Cold Sassy Tree having its first production, I saw no necessity to do anything other than produce it with the correct setting.