On stage, the audience watches from a fixed viewpoint and the director cannot retake something he doesn't like. It has to work straight through.

I don't rehearse films as much as opera or theatre. When I began directing films I thought a long rehearsal was a good idea. Experience showed me that the best performance was often left in a rehearsal room.

Film is shot in fragments, and the same moments can be shot again and again until the director is satisfied.

For a director, the most challenging scenes are the dialogue scenes.

Quite a few operas are still being commissioned around the world, although nothing apart from audience popularity can ensure more than a few performances.

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

It is essential to do everything possible to attract young people to opera so they can see that it is not some antiquated art form but a repository of the most glorious music and drama that man has created.